Key Performance Indicators of an Elite Middle to Long Distance Runner

Key performance indicators of an elite middle to long distance runner

Introduction

Middle to long distance running is classified as distances ranging from 800m to a marathon. At these distances and longer distances it becomes a predominantly aerobic based sport with athletes requiring large aerobic systems to achieve high levels of performance (Hawley, 2000). Whilst a high level of aerobic fitness is a large indicator of potential performance in middle to long distance running, efficient biomechanics can also greatly effect running performance. One key biomechanical aspect to performance and also injury prevention is the foot impact pattern (Hasegawa, Yamauchi, & Kraemer, 2007) and another is the stride length of the runner (Kong & Heer, 2008) which when combined can make a runners stride highly efficient and maximize energy expenditure.

Although many studies have explored the effect of single physiological or biomechanical aspects on running efficiency and potiential for success there has been little research into the impact of multiple aspects of running simaltaneously (Kong and Heer 2008, Hasegawa, Yamauchi and Kraemer 2007, Bragada et al. 2010). With this is mind, the purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of two male participants to middle and long distance running compared to an elite level male middle to long distance runner from looking at VO2max, foot impact pattern and stride length.

Method

The purpose of this study was the determine the suitability of two male participants to middle and long distance running using specific physiological and biomechanical areas. Once the tests were completed the subjects were compared to see which one would be most suited to middle and long distance running.

Subjects

Two healthy male subjects were chosen for this test who were of a similar age (Figure 1). Neither participant was an ‘elite' level runner but participant 1 is a regular runner who competes regularly in competition and trains between 8-10 hours a week. Participant 2 has previously Kayak'd for Great Britain but runs infrequently at under 2 hours per week.

Figure 1: Anthropometric characteristics of participants.

Participant

Age

Height (cm)

Body Mass (kg)

Running experience (years)

1 19 180.3 66.5 8

2 19 166.6 58.5 <1

All tests were completed when neither subjects had competitions within five days of the test. This was to ensure that best results could be achieved and that participants would not be suffering from fatigue. Tests were also conducted indoors under controlled conditions to minimize variables in results and allow for consistent testing.

Tests

To calculate each participant's VO2max a protocol was established to ensure consistent testing between each subject. The protocol used was a continuous ramp test (Hale 2003) and involved raising a treadmills speed up to 11 km.h-1 in 1.5 km.h-1 increments every 2 minutes. Once this speed was attained the gradient was then raised 2% every 2 minutes until exhaustion. The subject's heart rate was taken every minute using a heart rate monitor. Prior to the test a blood sample was taken to measure blood lactate levels and also the subject's height, mass and resting heart rate. The subjects were asked to complete a 3 minute warm up at a speed they felt comfortable and were then allowed 2 minutes to rest and stretch before the test commenced. Once the test was completed the subjects had another blood sample taken immediately after failure and were instructed to walk at a steady pace until they felt comfortable or their heart rate had lowered significantly. VO2max results were normalised to body weight to allow for comparison. To ensure a successful test heart rate had to be within ±5% of predicted maximum heart rate.

To calculate the participants foot strike pattern a force plate test was conducted. Timing gates were used in this test to ensure participants were running at the same speed. The speed chosen that both participants could run comfortably at was 11 km.h-1 and to mark the timing gates used the speed was converted to metres per second. The gates were measured out at 3.05m so that the participants had 1 second to go through the gates. A margin of ± 5% was allowed to allow for small differences in each run (Blackmore, Ball and Scurr 2010). Each participants