PEAK OXYGEN DEFICIT PREDICTS SPRINT AND MIDDLE-DISTANCE TRACK PERFORMANCE

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the peak oxyge n deficit (POD) as a predictor of sprint and middle-distance track per formance. POD, peak blood lactate, VO2peak lactate threshold, and runn ing economy at 3.6 m.s(-1) were measured during horizontal treadmill r unning in 22 male and 19 female competitive runners of different event specialties. Subjects also completed running performance trials at 10 0, 200, 400, 800, 1500, and 5000 m. Correlations of track performances with POD (ml.kg(-1)) (-0.66, -0.71, -0.71, -0.62, -0.52, and -0.40) w ere moderately strong at the sprint and middle distances, accounting f or 44-50% of the performance variance at the three shortest distances. Correlations of track performances with peak blood lactate concentrat ion were lower than with POD and accounted for approximately one-half as much of the performance variance (21-26%) at the three shortest dis tances. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the POD was the st rongest metabolic predictor of 100-, 200- and 400-m performance, and t hat VO2peak was the strongest metabolic predictor of 800-, 1500-, and 5000-m performance. We conclude that the POD is a moderately strong pr edictor of sprint and middle-distance track performance.