A 5-min running field test as a measurement of maximal aerobic velocity

Abstract

Based on a theoretical approach from world record running data, we have previously calculated that the most suitable duration for measuring maximal aero-bic velocity (v _amax) by a field test was 5 min (v _amax(5)). The aim of this study was, therefore, to check this hypothesis on 48 men of various levels of physical fitness by comparing (v _max(5)) with (v _amax) determined at the last step of a progressive treadmill exercise test when the subject felt exhausted (v _amax(t)) and during a test on a running track, behind a cyclist (following an established protocol) (v _amax(c)). For each test, (O_2max) was also measured by a direct method on a treadmill (O_2max(t)) and calculated by an equation for field tests (O_2max(5) and O_2max(c)). The V _amax(5) [17.1 (SD 2.2) km · h⁻¹] and (v _amax(c)) [(18.2 (SD 2.4) km · h⁻¹] were significantly higher than (v _amx(t)) [16.9 (SD 2.6) km · h⁻¹; P < 0.001]. The (v _amax(t))␣was strongly correlated with (v _amax(5)) (r␣= 0.94) and (v _amax(c)) (r = 0.95) (P < 0.001). The best identity and correlation between (v _amax(5)) and track performances were found in the runners (n = 9) with experience over a distance of 3,000 m. The O_2max(5) and (O_2max(c)) were higher than O_2max(t) (+ 5.0% and + 13.7%, respectively; P < 0.001) and O_2max(t) was highly correlated with v _amax(5) (r = 0.90; P < 0.001). These results suggest that the 5-min field test, easy to apply, provided precise information on v _amax and to a lesser degree on O_2max.