Abstract
Background/Aim
Determine critical speed (CS) and running distance above CS (D’), as estimated from the 3-min all-out running test (3MT) is reliable and predictive of CS and D’ determined from time trials.
Methods
Seven males (26 ± 5 years, VO2max: 56.6 ± 4.1 ml·kg-1·min-1) completed an incremental treadmill test, three separate time trials (Tlim) of 800, 1600, and 2400m to determine CS and D’, and two 3MTs to estimate CS and D’.
Results
Estimates of trial 1 (CS =3.90±0.41 m·s-1, D’=176±42 m) and trial 2 (CS=3.89 ± 0.48 m·s-1, D’ = 183±35 m) of the 3MT did not differ. Estimates of CS (ICC=0.95, CV=2.97%) and D’ (ICC=0.93, CV=5.12%) from the 3MT were reliable. The 3MT trials provided valid estimates of CS as determined using regression of the three time trials (ICCs ranged 0.88-0.93, TE ranged 0.13-0.15 m·s-1, CV ranged 3.32-4.76%). The 3 MT underestimated D’ by∼16%, a difference exceeding the test-retest variability.
Conclusions
Estimates of CS were valid and reliable; however, assessment of D’ from the 3MT may not estimate anaerobic capacity accurately.
KEYWORDS
Anaerobic capacity; Critical speed; Critical power; Fatigue
