Anaerobic performance characteristics of elite Canadian 800 meter runners

Physiological and biochemical profiles of six elite Canadian 800 meter runners are presented. Anthropometric data was recorded. Aerobic capacity was assessed on a treadmill run to fatigue; the initial treadmill velocity was 2.22 m X s-1 increasing by 0.22 m X s-1 each minute. VO2max was determined by the mean of the four highest consecutive 15 second values. The Anaerobic Speed Test (AST) (20 degrees incline, 3.52 m X s-1 to fatigue) was used to assess anaerobic performance characteristics. Two minute post-AST blood samples were analyzed for lactate. Needle biopsies were obtained at rest from the vastus lateralis muscle. The muscle fibers were classified and a homogenate of the muscle was used in the determination of buffering capacity. These are young athletes with a low percentage body fat. The mean VO2max was 63.6 +/- 2.9 ml X kg-1 X min-1. The anaerobic capacity is striking with the mean AST time of 114.3 +/- 16.3 seconds and post-AST lactate values of 22.0 +/- 1.4 mmol X l-1. The skeletal muscle buffering capacity was elevated above normal by 50% indicating an enhanced capability of resisting changes in intracellular pH which may affect performance.