LACTATE STEADY-STATE VELOCITY AND DISTANCE-EXHAUSTION TIME RELATIONSHIP IN RUNNING

The relationship between distance and exhaustion time is linear for running exercise at constant velocity lasting 5 to 45 minutes. The slope of this relationship has the dimension of a velocity (V(CRIT)) which can be sustained during a long time. The individual V(CRIT) have been studied in 8 runners by measuring exhaustion time for 4 to 5 constant-velocity running exercises performed to exhaustion. The velocity correspond to a lactate steady state (V(CHASSAIN)) has been estimated according to a two-step protocol proposed by Chassain for exercises on a cycle ergometer. The running velocity corresponding to maximal aerobic metabolism (V(LEGER)) was estimated by means of the track test proposed by LEGER and BOUCHER. V(CRIT) was very well correlated (r > 0.97) and almost equal to V(CHASSAIN). V(LEGER) was also very well correlated with V(CHASSAIN) and V(CRIT).