PHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLACK-AND-WHITE RUNNERS DURING A TREADMILL MARATHON

To determine why black distance runners currently out-perform white distance runners in South Africa, we measured maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), maximum workload during a VO2max test (Lmax), ventilation threshold (VThr), running economy, inspiratory ventilation (VI), tidal volume (VT), breathing frequency (f) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in sub-elite black and white runners matched for best standard 42.2 km marathon times. During maximal treadmill testing, the black runners achieved a significantly lower (P<0.05) Lmax (17 km h-1, 2% grade, vs 17 km h-1, 4% grade) and VI max (6.21 vs 6.821 kg-2/3 min-1), which was the result of a lower VT (101 vs 119 ml kg-2/3 breath-1) as fmax was the same in both groups. The lower VT in the black runners was probably due to their smaller body size. The VThr occurred at a higher percentage VO2max in black than in white runners (82.7%, SD 7.7% vs 75.6%, SD 6.2% respectively) but there were no differences in the VO2max. However, during a 42.2-km marathon run on a treadmill, the black athletes ran at the higher percentage VO2max (76%, SD 7.9% vs 68%, SD 5.3%), RER (0.96, SD 0.07 vs 0.91, SD 0.04) and f (56 breaths min-1, SD 11 vs 47 breaths min-1, SD 10), and at lower VT (78 ml kg-2/3 breath-1, SD 15 vs 85 ml kg-2/3 breath-1, SD 19). The combination of higher f and lower VT resulted in an identical VI. Blood lactate levels were lower in black than in white runners (1.3 mmol l-1, SD 0.6 vs 1.59 mmol l-1, SD 0.2 respectively). It appeared that the only physiological difference that may account for the superior performance of the black runners was their ability to run at a higher percentage VO2max max during competition than white runners. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.