PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the running power profile and intensity distribution of a world-class mountain runner across 3 competition formats differing in race duration and elevation gain. METHODS: A male world champion was monitored during 3 official championship races: Spanish Vertical Championship (VR; 2.4 km, +929 m), World Sky Championship (SR; 38 km, ±2,750 m), and European SkyUltra Championship (SUR; 62 km, ±3,550 m). Running power was recorded at 1 Hz using a Stryd footpod. Maximal mean power output was calculated for durations from 1 second to 480 minutes, and the time spent within predefined power zones and critical power-based intensity domains was quantified. Comparisons with previously published subelite reference data were expressed as standardized Z-scores. RESULTS: Exercise intensity declined with increasing race duration, with higher mean power (5.1 W·kg-1) and greater relative time >4 W·kg-1 (44.9%) in the VR compared with SR (3.3 W·kg-1, 6.2%) and SUR (2.8 W·kg-1, 2.1%). The athlete showed very large maximal mean power output deviations (Z >+2) in the VR compared with subelite reference data, moderate differences in the SR, and small advantages for efforts ≤20 minutes in the SUR. Most race time was spent within 4 to 6, 3 to 5, and 2 to 4 W·kg-1 in the VR, SR, and SUR, respectively. CONCLUSION: World-class mountain running performance is characterized by superior power maintenance capacity and extended time at high relative intensities compared with subelite runners. Running power analysis can support the characterization of competition demands and individualized training prescription in mountain running.
Rodríguez-Medina et al. (Wed,) studied this question.