Distance Capacity Above the Critical Speed and Speed Reserves: are they Related?

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Running Performance Analysis

Background:

• Understanding endurance performance requires accurate physiological markers.
• Critical speed (CS) and related concepts like distance capacity above CS (D´) are key metrics.
• Anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) and maximal speed reserve (MSR) are proposed indicators of physiological capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) and maximal speed reserve (MSR) with distance capacity above critical speed (D´).
• To compare D´ derived from four distinct mathematical models in endurance runners.
• To explore the relationship between different physiological reserves and endurance capacity predictions.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two endurance runners participated in the study.
• Tests included an incremental treadmill test, a 40-m sprint, and 800m, 1500m, and 3000m time-trials.
• D´ was calculated using linear distance-time, linear velocity-time, and 2- and 3-parameter hyperbolic models.

Main Results:

• High correlations were found between ASR and D´ derived from the linear velocity-time model (r = 0.77).
• Moderate to high correlations were observed between MSR and D´ from linear distance-time and 2-parameter hyperbolic models (r = 0.74-0.76).
• ASR showed no significant correlation with the 3-parameter hyperbolic D´ model.

Conclusions:

• Moderate to high correlations between ASR/MSR and D´ suggest overlapping physiological underpinnings.
• The choice of mathematical model for D´ influences its correlation with speed reserves.
• These findings support the utility of ASR and MSR in assessing endurance capacity in runners.