Aerobic fitness and running performance of male and female recreational runners

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to assess fitness and running performance in a group of recreational runners (men, n = 18; women, n = 13). ‘Fitness’ was determined on the basis of their physiological and metabolic responses during maximal and submaximal exercise. There were strong correlations between VO₂ max and treadmill running speeds equivalent to blood lactate concentrations of 2 mmol 1^‐1’ (V‐2 mM) or 4 mmol 1^‐1 (V‐4 mM), ‘relative running economy’ and 5 km times (r = 0.84), but modest and non‐significant correlations between muscle fibre composition and running performance. The results of the submaximal exercise tests suggested that the female runners were as well trained as the male runners. However, the men still recorded faster 5 km times (19.20 ± 1.97 min vs 20.97 ± 1.70 min; P VO₂ max values, rather than their training status per se.