Relationship between the Lactate Threshold and Cross-Country Run Performance in High School Male and Female Runners

This study evaluated the relationship between run performance, lactate threshold (LT), VO 2 max, and running economy in adolescent boys ( n = 11) and girls ( n = 10). Subjects completed laboratory tests to establish VO 2 max, LT, and running economy. The race performance was the finish time from a cross-country meet. The boys exhibited higher VO 2 max (67.7 vs. 54.6 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) and VO 2 at LT (61.7 vs. 48.4 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) compared with the girls ( p < .05), but there was no difference in running economy, peak lactate, or the %VO 2 max at LT ( p > .05). VO 2 max ( r = −.70) and VO 2 at LT ( r = −.74) were significantly correlated to performance for the boys, but running economy was not ( r = .10). For the girls, VO 2 max ( r = −.90), VO 2 at LT ( r = −.77), and running economy ( r = −.86) were all significantly related to performance. LT was important for cross-country run performance. However, VO 2 max was an equally strong or better predictor than either LT or running economy.