The oxygen uptake response of sprint- vs. endurance-trained runners to severe intensity running

We compared the oxygen uptake (VO2) response of sprint- and endurance-trained runners for an exhaustive square wave run lasting similar to 2 minutes. Six sprinters and six middle- and long-distance runners each performed two exhaustive square wave runs lasting similar to 2 min and two exhaustive ramp tests. 02 was determined breath-by-breath (QP9000; Morgan Medical, Rainham, UK) and averaged across the two repeats of each test; for the square wave test, the averaged VO2 response (excluding the first 15 s) was then modelled using a monoexponential function. Both VO(2)peak for the ramp test (67.5 +/- 3.3 vs. 54.5 +/- 8.5 ml.kg(-1) min(-1); P = 0.006) and the asymptotic 02 for the square wave run (59.6 +/- 2.7 vs. 50.7 +/- 4.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); P = 0.002) were higher for the endurance than for the sprint group. However, as a percentage of VO(2)peak, this asymptotic VO2 did not differ between the groups (90.1 +/- 3.2% (endurance) vs. 96.2 +/- 9.0% (sprint); P = 0.145). Across all 12 subjects, the %VO(2)peak attained in the square wave run was negatively correlated with VO(2)peak (Pearson's r= -0.811, P = 0.001). We conclude that VO(2)max is more important than training history as a determinant of the %VO(2)max attained in exhaustive square wave running lasting similar to 2 min.