Key result
Laboratory-based physiological measures explained 72% of the variance in junior track and cross-country race performances (p<0.001), with predictive factors varying by race distance.
Why the study?
This study evaluated the contribution of physiological data collected during laboratory testing in predicting race performances of trained junior middle-distance track and cross-country athletes.
Does laboratory physiological testing predict race performance in trained junior middle-distance track and cross-country athletes?
Cross-Sectional (n=28)
Does laboratory physiological testing predict race performance in trained junior middle-distance track and cross-country athletes?
Effect estimate: adjusted R2 0.72
p-value: p=<0.001
Laboratory-based physiological measures can accurately predict race performance in junior middle-distance track and cross-country athletes, though the specific predictive factors vary by race distance and type.
Lab data may aid junior runner performance prediction; leaves open whether it improves training or selection decisions.
This study evaluated the contribution of physiological data collected during laboratory testing in predicting race performances of trained junior middle‐distance track (TK) and cross‐country (XC) athletes. Participants performed a submaximal incremental ramp test, followed by an incremental test to exhaustion in a laboratory, with the results used to predict either 800 m TK, 1500 m TK or 4000–6000 m XC race performance. Twenty‐eight participants (male (M), 15; female (F), 13) were analysed (age = 17 ± 2 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.08 m, body mass = 58.9 ± 8.9 kg). Performance times (min:s) for 800 m were: M, 1:56.55 ± 0:05.55 and F, 2:14.21 ± 0:03.89; 1500 m: M, 3:51.98 ± 0:07.35 and F 4:36.71 ± 0:16.58; XC: M (4900 ± 741 m), 16:00 ± 01:53; F (4628 ± 670 m), 17:41 ± 02:09. Stepwise regression analysis indicated significant contributions of speed at ⩒O 2max (s⩒O 2max ), and heart rate maximum (HR max ) to the prediction of 800 m TK ( F ( 2,15 ) = 22.51, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.72), s⩒O 2max for 1500 m TK ( F ( 1,13 ) = 36.65, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.72) and ⩒O 2max, allometrically scaled to body mass and speed at lactate threshold (sLT) for XC ( F ( 2,17 ) = 25.1, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.72). Laboratory‐based physiological measures can explain 72% of the variance in junior TK and XC events, although factors that explain performance alter depending on the race distance and tactics. The factors determining performance in TK and XC events are not interchangeable.
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Bliss et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Trained junior middle-distance track and cross-country athletes (n=28). Laboratory-based physiological measures was evaluated on Prediction of 800 m TK, 1500 m TK, or 4000-6000 m XC race performance (adjusted R2 0.72, p=<0.001). Laboratory-based physiological measures explained 72% of the variance in junior track and cross-country race performances (p<0.001), with predictive factors varying by race distance.
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