Physiological Parameters Related to Running Performance in College Runners

Submaximal and maximal physiological parameters were measured on a progressive treadmill test in 11 Columbia University tracksen trained for various events. All runners were also tested in the 22C, 440, 880, one-mile, and two -rile running events. Oxygen uptake was significantly related only to time in the one-mile run. Heart rates (HRs) at each submaximal load on the treadmill were significantly related to time in the one-mile run. For the two-mile run, HR at every submaximal load but one were significantly related to time. In these events, the runners with the lower treadmill submaximal HRs tended to do better. Conversely, in the 220-yard run higher submaximal HR seemed to be associated with lower times. However, the correlation coefficients were generally not quite significant. These data suggest that distance runners are characterized by high parasympathetic tone while sprinters are characterized by greater sympathetic tone. Furthermore, for this sample of subjects submaximal HR was better than maximal oxygen uptake as a predictor of distance running performance. (Author/PD)