Physiological Predictors of Maximal Incremental Running Performance

Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify whether physiological components [vertical jumps (Squat Jump - SJ and Countermovement Jump - CMJ), eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) of vertical jumps, running economy (RE), metabolic cost (C _MET ), first and second ventilatory threshold (VT₁ and VT₂) maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2MAX)] can predict maximal endurance running performance.

Methods: Twenty male runners performed maximal vertical jumps, submaximal running at constant speeds, and maximal incremental running test. Before, we measured anthropometric parameters (body mass and height) and registered the training history and volume. SJ and CMJ tests were evaluated prior to running tests. Initially, the oxygen uptake (VO₂) was collected at rest in the orthostatic position for 6 min. Soon after, a 10-min warm-up was performed on the treadmill at 10 km⋅h^-1, followed by two 5-min treadmill rectangular tests at 12 and 16 km⋅h^-1 monitored by a gas analyzer. After that, the runners performed a maximal incremental test, where the VT₁, VT₂, and VO_2MAX were evaluated, as well as the maximum running speed (vVO_2MAX). Thus, RE and C _MET were calculated with data obtained during rectangular running tests. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses were conducted to measure the relationship between independent variables (height and power of SJ and CMJ, EUR; RE and C _MET 12 and 16 km⋅h^-1 _; VT₁, VT₂, and VO_2MAX), as predictors of maximal running performance (vVO_2MAX), with significance level at α = 0.05.

Results: We found that VO_2MAX and RE at 16 km⋅h^-1 predict 81% of performance (vVO_2MAX) of endurance runners (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The main predictors of the maximal incremental running test performance were VO_2MAX and RE.