ENERGY-COST OF RUNNING IN YOUNG AND ADULT FEMALE ATHLETES

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max.kg-1) and energy cost of running were de termined on the treadmill in groups of differently trained young and a dult athletes. The VO2 max.kg-1 was in all cases higher in adults than in young athletes. These differences were significant (p < 0.05) in l ong-distance runners (n = 12, mean age = 24.2 +/- 2.2 vs 17.3 +/- 0.9 yrs, mean VO2 max.kg-1 = 66.9 +/- 4-2 vs 58.2 +/- 4.3 ml.min-1.kg-1), and in middle-distance runners (10, 22.9 +/- 2.8 vs 16, 16.6 +/- 0.8, 62-3 +/- 3.7 vs 56-1 +/- 2.8); in canoeists these differences were non -significant (7, 21-1 +/- 2.1 vs 16.0 +/- 2-3 vs 8, 48.2 +/- 2.6). Val ues of energy cost of running-coefficients of energy demand of running c, which indicates how much energy is required to transfer 1 kg of bo dy mass on a distance of 1 m-were lower in adult athletes than in youn g athletes. These differences were significant (p < 0.05) only in long -distance runners (3.69 +/- 0.15 vs 3-84 +/- 0.14 J.kg-1.m-1). In midd le-distance runners (3.67 +/- 0.19 vs 3.76 +/- 0.18), and in canoeists (3.84 +/- 0.14 vs 3-86 +/- 0.18) these differences were non-significa nt. It is concluded that the differences in energy cost of running bet ween trained adult and young female athletes are probably associated w ith differences in adaptation to the running, and with the technique o f movement. Differences in running speed (sports performance) between adult and young athletes are associated with differences in VO2 max.kg -1 and c.