Relationship between Individual Differences in a Steady Pace Endurance Running Performance and Maximal Oxygen Intake

Abstract

The relationship between individual differences in a steady-pace endurance running test and maximal oxygen intake (L/min., ml/kg·min, ml/kg LBW·min) was determined in 25 college men. In the running test subjects attempted to maintain an initial running speed of 10 mph (4.89 yd/sec) for 10 min. as they were paced around a 440-yd. track. Running performance was scored as running time between consecutive sections of the track, and an endurance score was calculated as the cumulated distance run during each minute. Max VO₂ (ml/kg-min) correlated r = .61 with cumulative distance after 5 min. of running. Validity correlations were only slightly increased by including minutes 8 to 10. Expressing max VO₂ in either L/min. or ml/kg LBW·min did not improve the correlation. Percent drop-off in running speed from the initial pace averaged 16% at minute 5 and 31% at minute 10. Body weight and percent body fat were inversely correlated with 10 min. of cumulative performance (r = -.33 and -.43, respectively). At least 4 min. of running was required to predict the 10 min. cumulative performance criterion (r = .81; S_y·x = 13.2 yd.); a 5-min. run raised the correlation to r = .87 (S_y·x = 11.1 yd.). Individual differences in min-by-min endurance performance were substantial throughout the run. The results suggest that a performance measure of running endurance, where all individuals begin running at 10 mph and attempt to maintain this speed for 10-min., should be continued for at least 5-min. to achieve moderate validity.