The relationship between marathon running performance and indices of aerobic power during the competition period

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to investigate: 1. the connections of marathon running competition results with aerobic power output indices immediately prior to a top competition; 2. whether the revealed relationship is compatible with training strategy logic preceding a competition. Five marathon runners of good training condition were examined. An incremental treadmill test to maximum was performed. VO2max, maximal test time, maximal heart rate, O2 uptake at the aerobic and anaerobic threshold level, aerobic and anaerobic threshold onset time and a marathon running competition result were recorded. Correlation analysis revealed a high relationship between the competition result and maximal test duration (r= — 0.89) and anaerobic threshold onset time (r = —0.95). The % of VO2max at the anaerobic threshold is also an important index of the competition result. The relation between the marathon run time and aerobic power output indices during the competition period proved that the preceding training methods based on the principle of stimulating an anaerobic threshold increase, a greater aerobic power and greater aerobic efficiency, promotes an optimal racing condition at the time of competition.