Journal of Sports Sciences, 1992, 10, 237-242
Assessment of predispositions for endurance running from field tests VACLAV BUNC,* MILOSLAV EJEM, VLADIMÍR KUČERA and PAVEL MORAVEC Faculty of Physical Education, Charles University, J. Martiho 31, CS-162 52, Prague 6, Czechoslovakia
Accepted 12 March 1991
Abstract Field tests of speed and endurance may be used to evaluate the probability of success and to create efficient training strategies for sports. Currently, both invasive and non-invasive methods are used for this purpose. While invasive methods cause some discomfort to subjects, non-invasive methods may employ practices associated with the sport itself. One such method employs the linear relationship between exercise intensity or running speed and distance covered running at that speed represented on a semi-logarithmic scale. The separation of endurance runners into three different groups can be confirmed by different values for the slope coefficient (b) of this linear relation. According to findings among top Czechoslovak endurance runners, supplemented by the data of other authors, the values of coefficient b in middle-distance runners are in the range –2.166 to –1.700, in long-distance runners –1.520 to –1.050 and in marathon runners –0.836 to –0.436. Similarly, a separation of young endurance runners into groups of middle-distance and long-distance runners must be within the range –2.158 to –1.800 and for young long-distance runners –1.700 to –1.300. Based on these findings, the optimum competitive distance for adult athletes can be established in relation to current training status. In young athletes, it is possible to select gifted runners with predispositions for middle-distance and long-distance running. For both groups of athletes, more efficient training methods can be selected to optimize their predispositions for maximal performance. Keywords: Exercise testing, field testing, middle-distance running, endurance running, training state, selection.
Introduction Researchers, coaches and athletes have long sought to identify the key elements that contribute to the development of sports performance. In this connection, specific aerobic and anaerobic factors are known to play important roles. Besides pure aerobic endurance, special requirements for endurance and speed as well as various combinations of these are relevant for sporting performance. To evaluate the probability of success in sports, as well as to create efficient training strategies, it is necessary to consider individual predispositions and training status. The specific endurance and speed abilities relating to the sport may be best assessed in field * To whom all correspondence should be addressed. 0264-0414/92
© 1992 E. & F.N. Spon
238
Bunc et al.
conditions. Currently, both invasive and non-invasive methods are used (Bunc and Moravec, 1981; Bunc et al, 1988; Costill et al, 1976a,b; Frederick, 1977; Rumbal, 1970). An athlete's ability to maintain a fast pace during competition depends to a large extent on the muscular ability to generate energy. Inter-individual differences in performance can be related to the characteristics of the athlete's active muscles. Microscopic and biochemical analyses are used to identify the metabolic properties of muscle samples and these are then assumed to be representative of the whole muscle. One of the most important findings as regards these techniques is the type of muscle fibres the biopsy sample is composed of. These invasive methods are relatively unpleasant for athletes, need the support of a well-equipped laboratory, and have some other, mainly technical, disadvantages. They are not therefore suitable for evaluation of these predispositions in field conditions or in studying elite athletes (Costill et al, 1976a,b). Besides, these methods assess only the state of an athlete's muscles and not how he or she can utilize his or her muscle potential under field conditions. The practice of sport itself, on the other hand, offers opportunities for applying noninvasive methods of assessing athletic abilities under field conditions. One of these noninvasive methods uses the relatively simple relationship between exercise intensity (e.g. running speed) and duration of the exercise at this intensity. An example would be the distance covered at a specific speed (Bunc and Moravec, 1981; Bunc et al, 1988; Frederick, 1977; Rumbal, 1970). The aim of this study was to verify the use of simple non-invasive methods of assessing specific aerobic and anaerobic predispositions under field conditions. Groups of highly trained adult and young runners of both sexes were selected for analysis.
Methods A runner's speed varies during a race. We assume that running speed is chosen in a way that minimizes the time required to run the distance, subject to physical and physiological limitations. To describe the dependence between running speed and running distance covered at this velocity in semi-logarithmic co-ordinates for one subject, a linear relationship in the following form is used (Bunc and Moravec, 1981; Bunc et al, 1988; Frederick, 1977): y = a + bz z=log10x
(1)
where y is the mean speed of running (m s " 1 ) , x is the distance covered at this speed (m) and a and b are coefficients which characterize the subject analysed. The slope coefficient of this linear dependence is expressed by b. Highly significant correlation coefficients have verified the suitability of this simple description (/>
Assessment of predispositions for endurance running from field tests VACLAV BUNC,* MILOSLAV EJEM, VLADIMÍR KUČERA and PAVEL MORAVEC Faculty of Physical Education, Charles University, J. Martiho 31, CS-162 52, Prague 6, Czechoslovakia
Accepted 12 March 1991
Abstract Field tests of speed and endurance may be used to evaluate the probability of success and to create efficient training strategies for sports. Currently, both invasive and non-invasive methods are used for this purpose. While invasive methods cause some discomfort to subjects, non-invasive methods may employ practices associated with the sport itself. One such method employs the linear relationship between exercise intensity or running speed and distance covered running at that speed represented on a semi-logarithmic scale. The separation of endurance runners into three different groups can be confirmed by different values for the slope coefficient (b) of this linear relation. According to findings among top Czechoslovak endurance runners, supplemented by the data of other authors, the values of coefficient b in middle-distance runners are in the range –2.166 to –1.700, in long-distance runners –1.520 to –1.050 and in marathon runners –0.836 to –0.436. Similarly, a separation of young endurance runners into groups of middle-distance and long-distance runners must be within the range –2.158 to –1.800 and for young long-distance runners –1.700 to –1.300. Based on these findings, the optimum competitive distance for adult athletes can be established in relation to current training status. In young athletes, it is possible to select gifted runners with predispositions for middle-distance and long-distance running. For both groups of athletes, more efficient training methods can be selected to optimize their predispositions for maximal performance. Keywords: Exercise testing, field testing, middle-distance running, endurance running, training state, selection.
Introduction Researchers, coaches and athletes have long sought to identify the key elements that contribute to the development of sports performance. In this connection, specific aerobic and anaerobic factors are known to play important roles. Besides pure aerobic endurance, special requirements for endurance and speed as well as various combinations of these are relevant for sporting performance. To evaluate the probability of success in sports, as well as to create efficient training strategies, it is necessary to consider individual predispositions and training status. The specific endurance and speed abilities relating to the sport may be best assessed in field * To whom all correspondence should be addressed. 0264-0414/92
© 1992 E. & F.N. Spon
238
Bunc et al.
conditions. Currently, both invasive and non-invasive methods are used (Bunc and Moravec, 1981; Bunc et al, 1988; Costill et al, 1976a,b; Frederick, 1977; Rumbal, 1970). An athlete's ability to maintain a fast pace during competition depends to a large extent on the muscular ability to generate energy. Inter-individual differences in performance can be related to the characteristics of the athlete's active muscles. Microscopic and biochemical analyses are used to identify the metabolic properties of muscle samples and these are then assumed to be representative of the whole muscle. One of the most important findings as regards these techniques is the type of muscle fibres the biopsy sample is composed of. These invasive methods are relatively unpleasant for athletes, need the support of a well-equipped laboratory, and have some other, mainly technical, disadvantages. They are not therefore suitable for evaluation of these predispositions in field conditions or in studying elite athletes (Costill et al, 1976a,b). Besides, these methods assess only the state of an athlete's muscles and not how he or she can utilize his or her muscle potential under field conditions. The practice of sport itself, on the other hand, offers opportunities for applying noninvasive methods of assessing athletic abilities under field conditions. One of these noninvasive methods uses the relatively simple relationship between exercise intensity (e.g. running speed) and duration of the exercise at this intensity. An example would be the distance covered at a specific speed (Bunc and Moravec, 1981; Bunc et al, 1988; Frederick, 1977; Rumbal, 1970). The aim of this study was to verify the use of simple non-invasive methods of assessing specific aerobic and anaerobic predispositions under field conditions. Groups of highly trained adult and young runners of both sexes were selected for analysis.
Methods A runner's speed varies during a race. We assume that running speed is chosen in a way that minimizes the time required to run the distance, subject to physical and physiological limitations. To describe the dependence between running speed and running distance covered at this velocity in semi-logarithmic co-ordinates for one subject, a linear relationship in the following form is used (Bunc and Moravec, 1981; Bunc et al, 1988; Frederick, 1977): y = a + bz z=log10x
(1)
where y is the mean speed of running (m s " 1 ) , x is the distance covered at this speed (m) and a and b are coefficients which characterize the subject analysed. The slope coefficient of this linear dependence is expressed by b. Highly significant correlation coefficients have verified the suitability of this simple description (/>
