Summary
Metabolic responses during submaximal and maximal treadmill running were measured for a world champion marathon runner. Oxygen consumption, heart rates and lactic acid were recorded during a series of 8 submaximal and 2 maximal trials. One 30 min run was performed at a pace which equaled the runner's best world performance (328 m/min). His maximal oxygen consumption (max\(\dot V_{\operatorname{o} _2 } \)) was 5.091/min (69.7 ml/kg-min) with a maximal heart rate of 188 beats/min. During the 30 min run he utilized 86% of his aerobic capacity with a heart rate of 167 beats/min. When compared with other marathon runners this subject demonstrated little superiority with respect to either aerobic capacity or the energy requirements at various running speeds. The findings of this research suggest that marathon running success is dependent upon running economy and the ability to utilize a large fraction of a well developed aerobic capacity.
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This research was supported in part by a Ball State Faculty Research Grant.
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Costill, D.L., Branam, G., Eddy, D. et al. Determinants of marathon running success. Int. Z. Angew. Physiol. Einschl. Arbeitsphysiol. 29, 249–254 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01100536
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01100536