Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
09:24
A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
Published on: January 28, 2020
8.9K
VO2max and Velocity at VO2max Play a Role in Ultradistance Trail-Running Performance
Frederic Sabater-Pastor1, Katja Tomazin2, Grégoire P Millet3
1Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, Université Jean Monnet-Saint-Etienne, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne,France.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|February 8, 2023
Summary
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and velocity at VO2max are key physiological predictors for 166-km ultratrail running performance. Developing these factors can significantly optimize ultratrail race outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Ultrarunning Performance
Background:
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) impacts performance in shorter trail races.
- The role of running economy and VO2max in ultratrail races (beyond 120 km) is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify physiological predictors of performance in a 166-km trail-running race.
- To investigate the relationship between VO2max, running economy, and ultratrail performance.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-three experienced trail runners underwent laboratory testing before a 166-km race.
- Physiological assessments included incremental treadmill tests and strength evaluations.
- Correlational and regression analyses were used to link physiological variables to race performance.
Main Results:
- Velocity at VO2max was the strongest predictor, explaining 65% of performance variability.
- A model combining VO2max and running cost explained 62% of performance variability.
- VO2max, velocity at VO2max, lactate turn point, running cost, and body fat percentage significantly correlated with race times.
Conclusions:
- VO2max and velocity at VO2max are significant physiological predictors for 166-km ultratrail race performance.
- Ultratrail runners aiming to optimize performance should prioritize developing VO2max and velocity at VO2max.
- This study provides novel insights into the physiological demands of extreme-distance trail running.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
1.2K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
1.2K
01:34Velocity and Position by Graphical Method
7.6K
Velocity and position can be calculated from the known function of acceleration as a function of time. The total area under the acceleration-time graph and the velocity-time graph gives the change in velocity and position, respectively. In the case of an airplane, its acceleration is tracked using the inertial navigation system. The pilot provides the input of the airplane's initial position and velocity before takeoff. The inertial navigation system then uses the acceleration data to...
7.6K
01:22Respiratory Volumes and Capacities
2.4K
The respiratory system is responsible for the intake of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide from the body. Respiratory volumes describe the volume of air in the lungs at different phases of the respiratory cycle. Tidal volume is the air breathed in and out during normal, quiet breathing. Inspiratory reserve volume is the air that can be forcefully inspired beyond the tidal volume. In contrast, expiratory reserve volume refers to the air that can be expelled from the lungs after a normal...
2.4K
01:11Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume
3.1K
Cardiac output (CO) is an integral aspect of human physiology, reflecting the heart's efficiency and responsiveness to the body's needs. It represents the volume of blood that the left or right ventricle ejects into the aorta or pulmonary trunk each minute. The CO is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (HR)—the number of heartbeats per minute—by the stroke volume (SV)—the amount of blood pumped out with each heartbeat.
In an average resting adult male, the typical cardiac...
In an average resting adult male, the typical cardiac...
3.1K
01:20Velocity Potential
411
In steady, incompressible flow through a long, straight pipe with a uniform cross-section, the flow in the central region (far from the pipe walls) is irrotational. This irrotational nature means that fluid particles do not rotate around their axes, and a scalar function called the velocity potential, represented by ϕ, can be used to describe their movement. In irrotational flows, the velocity field V is defined as the gradient of the velocity potential:
411
01:11Velocity and Acceleration in Steady and Unsteady Flow
151
In fluid mechanics, velocity and acceleration are key concepts for analyzing particle motion in both steady and unsteady flow. Consider a fluid particle moving along a pathline, where its velocity depends on its position and time. The particle's acceleration is obtained by differentiating the velocity with respect to time.
The acceleration can be generalized to any point in the flow, and expressed as components along three perpendicular directions, representing changes in velocity over...
The acceleration can be generalized to any point in the flow, and expressed as components along three perpendicular directions, representing changes in velocity over...
151