A 5min Running Field Test As A Measurement PDF
A 5min Running Field Test As A Measurement PDF
A 5min Running Field Test As A Measurement PDF
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Abstract Based on a theoretical approach from world apply, provided precise information on vamax and to a
record running data, we have previously calculated that lesser degree on V̇O2max.
the most suitable duration for measuring maximal aero-
bic velocity (vamax) by a field test was 5 min (vamax(5)).
Key words Maximal oxygen consumption · Running
The aim of this study was, therefore, to check this hy-
performances · Léger test · Blood lactate · Energy cost of
pothesis on 48 men of various levels of physical fitness
running
by comparing (vmax(5)) with (vamax) determined at the last
step of a progressive treadmill exercise test when the
subject felt exhausted (vamax(t)) and during a test on a
running track, behind a cyclist (following an established Introduction
protocol) (vamax(c)). For each test, (V̇O2max) was also
measured by a direct method on a treadmill (V̇O2max(t)) Performance in many sports has been shown to depend
and calculated by an equation for field tests (V̇O2max(5) largely on aerobic qualities including maximal oxygen
and V̇O2max(c)). The Vamax(5) [17.1 (SD 2.2) km · h–1] and consumption (V̇O2max), economy of running and the
(vamax(c)) [(18.2 (SD 2.4) km · h–1] were significantly fractional utilisation of V̇O2max (di Prampero et al.
higher than (vamx(t)) [16.9 (SD 2.6) km · h–1; P < 0.001]. 1986), which are determinants for training and during
The (vamax(t)) was strongly correlated with (vamax(5)) recovery. Performance cannot indeed be explained only
(r = 0.94) and (vamax(c)) (r = 0.95) (P < 0.001). The best in terms of (V̇O2max). In the laboratory, during direct
identity and correlation between (vamax(5)) and track V̇O2max measurements, maximal aerobic velocity (vamax)
performances were found in the runners (n = 9) with (di Prampero 1987) has been defined as the speed reached
experience over a distance of 3,000 m. The V̇O2max(5) and by the subject on a treadmill at the last stage corrected by
(V̇O2max(c)) were higher than V̇O2max(t) (+ 5.0% the time spent at this stage (Lacour et al. 1989). On the
and + 13.7%, respectively; P < 0.001) and V̇O2max(t) was track, coaches and physical education instructors must
highly correlated with vamax(5) (r = 0.90; P < 0.001). take vamax into account to establish training pro-
These results suggest that the 5-min field test, easy to grammes. Various field tests have been proposed, con-
sisting of maximal running tests of different durations,
distances and stages and they can be continuous or dis-
continuous. All these tests evaluate physical fitness but
P. Berthon (&) · M. Dabonneville few of them attempt to measure vamax.
Laboratoire Performance Motrice,
UFR STAPS, Université Blaise Pascal, Léger and Boucher (1980) have developed and vali-
B.P. 104, F-63172 Aubière Cédex, dated an indirect continuous running multistage field
France test providing an indirect determination of V̇O2max
A. Chamoux (Université de Montréal Track Test, UMTT). This test is
Laboratoire de Médecine du Travail, based on the assumption that the subjects will reach
Université d’Auvergne, their V̇O2max during the last stage of the test. More re-
F-63000 Clermont Ferrand, cently, Lacour et al. (1991) have demonstrated with
France
runners from regional to international level that the
N. Fellmann · M. Bedu · B. Beaune · J. Coudert UMTT provides a value of vamax as accurately as a
Laboratoire de Physiologie-Biologie du Sport,
Université d’Auvergne,
treadmill measurement. Moreover vamax has been shown
F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, to correlate well with the best performance maintained
France over 1,000 m (Montmayeur and Villaret 1990), 1,500
234
and 3,000 m (Lacour et al. 1989). However, this test is their written consent to participate. All the subjects had a medical
not valid for V̇O2max estimation from vamax using the examination including an electrocardiogram and a complete med-
ical history was taken. This examination led us to exclude three
equation of Léger and Mercier (1983). The V̇O2max has subjects from the experimental programme. Finally 48 men [mean
been shown to be overestimated when compared with age 27.9 (SD 6.9) years, range 18.2–46.1 years; mean height 178.0
V̇O2max measured by a direct method on a treadmill, and (SD 5.2) cm, range 169–190 cm; mean body mass 71.2 (SD 7.4) kg,
this difference was more marked in the less fit subjects range 56.5–85.5 kg] performed the three tests in random order
within a maximal period of 2 weeks. They had different physical
(Lacour et al. 1989). This discrepancy may result from fitness levels varying from sedentary subjects to sportsmen in in-
several factors. Firstly, an energy cost of running which dividual or collective sports, and runners at local or national level.
is different from the value used by Léger and Mercier
(1983) (210 ml O2 · kg–1 · km–1) for establishing their Measurement of V̇O2max by a direct method and of vamax
equation, would introduce an error. Secondly, vamax
measured by UMTT could be overestimated because the The V̇O2max was measured during a graded continuous treadmill
velocity sustained during the last stage of this field test test (Gymrol Super 2500) (V̇O2amx(t)). The duration of each step
was 3 min with a gradient of 1%. The magnitude of the gradient
could exceed the actual vamax corresponding to the was chosen for two reasons:
maximal aerobic capacity. In fact the time duration of
the stages is different in laboratory and field tests. In the 1. It is easier to maintain a running posture on a treadmill with a
slight gradient and
Brue protocol (Brue et al. 1986), vamax corresponds to 2. To compensate for the wind resistance during running which
the last wholly completed stage maintained for only 30 s occurs on the track but not on a motor driven treadmill (Davies
(time duration of each step), whereas the time of the 1980).
running period is 3 or 4 min during treadmill measure- The speed increment was 1.5 km · h–1. Each subject performed
ments. Depending on the studies, the duration of the five or six steps until he felt exhausted. The first step lasted 5 min as
running performance which is maintained at 100% vamax, a warm-up and the corresponding speed was fixed according to the
a concept of ‘‘Tlim at MAS’’ developed by Billat physical fitness of the subject [70% of the theoritical maximal heart
rate (220- age in years) as defined by Astrand and Rythming 1954].
(1994a,b), varies from 5 min to 8 min (4.95 min – Mont- Expired gas was collected in a Douglas bag for the last 30 s of each
mayeur et Villaret 1990; 5 min – Londeree 1986; 5.12 running stage. Subsequent volume determination was carried out in
min – Billat et al. 1994a; 5.23 min – Billat et al. 1994b; a Tissot spirometer. The mean O2 and CO2 fractions of expired air
7 min – Costill and Fox 1969; Peronnet and Thibault were determined by Morgan analysers.
The V̇O2max measurement was considered valid if three of the
1989; 4.6 min – Léger et al. 1986). These values have following criteria were satisfied: exhaustion of the subject, re-
been shown to correspond to the best track performance spiratory exchange ratio equal to or greater than 1.10, blood lactate
over 1,500 to 3,000 m. According to Katch et al. (1973), concentration equal to or greater than 8 mmol · 1–1 or actual
it is not necessary to run for more than 5 min at a steady maximal heart rate (HRmax greater than at 95% of the maximal
pace to improve significantly the correlation between theoretical heart rate) (Astrand et al. 1973; Lacour and Flandrois
1977).
V̇O2max measured in the laboratory and running per- The maximal aerobic velocity on the treadmill (vamax(t)) was
formance. Brikci and Dekkar (1989) have demonstrated calculated using the equation proposed by Kuipers et al. (1985):
a significant correlation between the 5-min running test vamax(t) = v + a. n/b where v (in kilometres per hour) is the velocity
and V̇O2max (r = 0.93; n = 38), but these authors did not maintained before the last stage, a (kilometres per hour) is the value
of the speed increment between two stages, n is the number of
compare the field test performance to vamax because the seconds run in the last stage and b the theoretical number of sec-
laboratory tests were performed on a cycle ergometer. onds of the last stage.
More recently, we have demonstrated by a critical ap- The running energy cost was calculated using the equation
proach to world record running data that a 5-min long proposed by Lacour et al. (1991) at submaximal velocity just before
the last stage: running energy cost (mlO2 · kg–1 · km–1) = [oxygen
maximal test is the most suitable duration for measuring uptake (V̇O2) at the stage (ml · kg–1 · min–1) )5(ml · kg–1 · min–1)/
vamax (Chamoux et al. 1996). velocity (km · min–1). The 5 ml · kg)1 · min–1 value corresponded to
Therefore, in order to check whether a 5-min max- resting V̇O2 (Medbo et al. 1988).
imal continuous running test allows the accurate mea-
surement of vamax and correlates with V̇O2max, the results Université de Montréal track test
of this field test were compared with vamax and V̇O2max
determined in the laboratory on a treadmill and during The UMTT was performed within the week preceeding or follow-
the UMTT (Léger and Boucher 1980, modified by Brue ing the other two tests. On the track, without warm-up, the athletes
(5 maximum) followed a cyclist whose pedalling rate was paced by
et al. 1986). In addition, these field velocities were a tape recorder. This technique, proposed by Brue et al. (1986),
compared to the athlete’s best performances of the provided a regular increase in velocity (v). The v of the first stage
corresponding track season over 800 m, 1,500 m, was approximately 6.4 km · h–1 and it increased about 0.30 km · h–1
3,000 m, 5,000 m, 10,000 m and half-marathon. every 30 s. The cyclist was informed by a whistle blast about the
right intermediate time. The v maintained during the last wholly
completed stage was considered as the subject’s vamax in the test
(vamax(c)).
Methods The vamax(c) was converted into theoretical V̇O2max (V̇O2max(c))
using the equation of Léger and Mercier (1983) which has been
Subjects established for treadmill and track performances obtained from
data in the literature as follows:
A group of 51 men, who volunteered for the study were informed V̇O2max(c) = 1.353 + 3.163 v + 0.0122586 v2 where V̇O2max is in
before the tests about the risks and constraints involved and gave millilitres per minute per kilogram and v in kilometres per hour.
235
Track performances
Statistics
Table 1 Maximal parameters obtained during laboratory test (treadmill) and field tests: Université de Montréal Track Test with Brue
protocol (UMTT) and 5-min test. HRmax Maximal heart rate, vamax maximal aerobic velocity, V_ O2max maximal oxygen consumption
Test HRmax Lactate vamax V_ O2max
(beats · min–1) (mmol · l–1) (km · h–1) ml · min–1 · kg–1
Track performances
Table 2 Relationships between vamax(5) and vamax(c), and the velo- last stage of the Université de Montréal Track Test with Brue
city achieved during the best track performances (vtrack performance) protocol, v (in metres per second) velocity corresponding to the best
over various distances. vamax(5) ( in metres per second) Maximal vtrack performances in competitions over 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m,
aerobic velocity determined during the 5-min field test, vamax(c) ( in 5,000m, 10,000m and half-marathon
metres per second) maximal aerobic velocity determined during the
equation for V̇O2max from V̇amax(5): V̇O2max (ml · min–1 · étude de faisabilité en unités en vue du remplacement du test de
kg–1) = 3.23 vamax(5) + 0.123. This could be simplified as Cooper. Centre d’Etude et de Recherche Biophysiologique
appliquées à la marine GERB, Rapport 85–06, 2° édition cor-
V̇O2max = 3.23 vamax(5). Since the velocity is equivalent rigée Toulon pp 1–16
to 12 d (d representing the distance in kilometer covered Chamoux A, Berthon P, Laubignat JF (1996) Determination of
during the 5-min test), the equation becomes: V̇O2max maximum aerobic velocity by a 5-minute test with reference to
(ml · min–1 · kg–1) = 39 d (km). For our group of runners, world running records. A theoretical approach. Arch Int Phy-
siol Biochem 104:207–211
the error was lower than 5% when V̇O2max(t) was taken Costill D, Fox EL (1969) Energetics of marathon running. Med Sci
as the reference. Sports 1:81–88
In conclusion, the 5-min test provided valuable in- Davies CTM (1980) Effects of wind assistance and resistance on the
formation on vamax which was close to and highly cor- forward motion of a runner. J Appl Physiol 48:702–709
related with treadmill results and track performances di Prampero PE (1986) The energy cost of human locomotion on
land and in water. Int J Sports Med 7:55–72
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V̇O2max evaluation. Nevertheless, the simple equation energetics of endurance running. Eur J Appl Physiol 55:259–266
that we proposed to calculate V̇O2max from the distance Katch FI, Pechar FI, McArdel WD, Weltman AL (1973) Relation
covered during 5-min running needs to be validated on a between individual differences in steady state endurance run-
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Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Direction Lacour JR, Candau R (1990) Vitesse maximale aérobie et perfor-
Régionale Jeunesse et Sports d’Auvergne, the Institut de Forma- mance en course à pied. Sci Sports 5:183–189
tion et de Recherche en Santé, the Comité Régional Olympique et Lacour JR, Flandrois R (1977) Le rôle du métabolisme aérobie
Sportif d’Auvergne and the Association Sportive Montferrandaise. dans l’exercice intense de longue durée. J Physiol (Paris) 73:89–
The investigators would like to thank the sportsmen whose co- 130
operation made the study possible and Gisèle Pickering for her help Lacour JR, Montmayeur A, Dormois D, Gacon G, Padilla S, Viale
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