VARIATION IN THE AEROBIC DEMAND OF RUNNING AMONG TRAINED AND UNTRAINED SUBJECTS

Variation in the aerobic demand (VO2) of submaximal running was quanti fied among trained and untrained subjects stratified by performance ca pability. Based on a retrospective analysis of seven published studies , maximal aerobic power (VO2max), and submaximal VO2 values were analy zed in three groups of trained distance runners (Category 1 (C1) (elit e runners; N = 22), Category 2 (C2) (sub-elite runners; N = 41), and C ategory 3 (C3) (good runners; N = 16), and one group (N = 10) of untra ined subjects (Category 4; C4). Results indicated that VO2max differed significantly (P < 0.05) across groups, such that C1 > C2 > C3 > C4. Analysis of submaximal VO2 data also revealed that C4 was more unecono mical than C1, C2 and C3 and that C2 and C3 were less economical than C1. Average within-group variability in submaximal VO2 was similar acr oss categories and a marked overlap of minimum, mean and maximal econo my values existed across categories. These data suggest that 1) traine d subjects are more economical than untrained subjects, 2) elite runne rs display better economy compared to and 3) economical anduneconomica l runners can be all performance categories.