Associations between Vpeak, vLT and 10-km running performance in recreational runners

PurposeThe main aim of the present study was to verify which variable, between peak running velocity (V-peak) and the velocity at lactate threshold (vLT), better correlates with 10-km running performance. The second aim was to demonstrate the association between these two variables (V-peak and vLT).MethodsSeventeen male, recreational, endurance-trained runners perfomed three tests: incremental exercise test to determine V-peak and other for vLT determination by maximal deviation method (D-max), and 10-km running performance. Incremental tests were performed on the treadmill and the 10-km running test on the outdoor track. Incremental tests started with a velocity of 8 km.h(-1), which increased by 1 km.h(-1) between each successive 3-min stage until exhaustion. For vLT determination it was required pauses for blood samples collection.ResultsIt was found that both V-peak and vLT were highly correlated with 10-km mean velocity (MV10-km) (r=0.92 and 0.81, respectively). It was found a high association between V-peak and vLT (r=0.91).ConclusionBoth V-peak and vLT were highly associated with MV10-km, in which V-peak better correlates with performance. In addition, V-peak and vLT were highly related to each other. In practical application, coaches and runners should use both V-peak and vLT as parameters to prescribe and monitor running training to provide valuable information on the progress of training and its control.