A new method for the evaluation of anaerobic running power in athletes

A new maximal anaerobic running power (MARP) test was developed. It consisted ofn · 20-s runs on a treadmill with a 100-s recovery between the runs. During the first run the treadmill speed was 3.97 m · s⁻¹ and the gradient 5°. The speed of the treadmill was increased by 0.35 m · s⁻¹ for each consecutive run until exhaustion. The height of counter-movement jumps and blood lactate concentration ([1a⁻]_b) were measured after each run. Submaximal ([la⁻ ] b = 3 mmol · l⁻¹ and 10 mmol · l⁻¹) and maximal speed and power ( \(\dot W_{3mmol} \) , \(\dot W_{10mmol} \) and \(\dot W_{max} \) , respectively) were calculated andW was expressed in oxygen equivalents according to the American College of Sports Medicine equation. Thirteen male athletes whose times over 400 m ranged from 47.98 s to 54.70 s served as subjects. In the MARP-test the speed at exhaustion was 6.89 (SD 0.28) m · s⁻¹ corresponding to a \(\dot W_{max} \) of 118 (SD 5) ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹. The peak [1a⁻]_b after exhaustion was 17.0 (SD 1.6) mmol · l⁻¹ . A significant correlation (r=0.89,P<0.001) was observed between the \(\dot W_{max} \) and the average speed in the 400-m sprint. The maximal 20-m sprinting speed on a track and \(\dot W_{10mmol} \) correlated with both the \(\dot W_{max} \) and the 400-m speed. It was concluded that the new method allows the evaluation of several determinants of maximal anaerobic performance including changes in the force-generating capacity of leg muscles and [la⁻]_b relative to the speed of the sprint running. The [1a⁻]_b at submaximal sprinting speed was suggested as describing the anaerobic sprinting economy.