High-speed running performance is largely unaffected by hypoxic reductions in aerobic power
Peter G. Weyand, et. al.
We tested the importance of aerobic metabolism to human running speed directly by altering inspired oxygen concentrations and comparing the maximal speeds attained at different rates of oxygen uptake. Under both normoxic (20.93% O2) and hypoxic (13.00% O2) conditions, four fit adult men completed 15 all-out sprints lasting from 15 to 180 s as well as progressive, discontinuous treadmill tests to determine maximal oxygen uptake and the metabolic cost of steady-state running. Maximal aerobic power was lower by 30% (1.00 ± 0.15 vs. 0.77 ± 0.12 ml O2 · kg1 · s1) and sprinting rates of oxygen uptake by 12-25% under hypoxic vs. normoxic conditions while the metabolic cost of submaximal running was the same. Despite reductions in the aerobic energy available for sprinting under hypoxic conditions, our subjects were able to run just as fast for sprints of up to 60 s and nearly as fast for sprints of up to 120 s. This was possible because rates of anaerobic energy release, estimated from oxygen deficits, increased by as much as 18%, and thus compensated for the reductions in aerobic power. We conclude that maximal metabolic power outputs during sprinting are not limited by rates of anaerobic metabolism and that human speed is largely independent of aerobic power during all-out runs of 60 s or less.
Why do so many football players, and baseball players spend time running 1-2 miles everyday? If you ask athletes or coaches who run for distance they will tell you it increases their conditioning. Ok, next question, conditioning for what?
We conclude that maximal metabolic power outputs during sprinting are not limited by rates of anaerobic metabolism and that human speed is largely independent of aerobic power during all-out runs of 60 s or less.
I've known this for as long I first sprinted ever. My lungs always gasp for air during sprinting, and my muscles never tire. I have always preferred sprinting, and so far it has helped me in my cutting.
For the longest, I always wondered why they called sprinting anearobic, and just considered myself an exception to the rule. Plus, it got old arguing with people who thumped their textbooks mightily.
Why do so many football players, and baseball players spend time running 1-2 miles everyday? If you ask athletes or coaches who run for distance they will tell you it increases their conditioning. Ok, next question, conditioning for what?
I thinks it's about recovery time after the sprint not the sprint itself. If you have a higher aerobic capacity you will need less rest before you can perform another as fast sprint.
Kinda piggybacking off of mabe: An increase in mitochondria, larger heart, with thicker walls that would allow for better recovery\better workouts over the long haul? At a low intensity it'd have little to no downside to power. The only real cost would be time and maybe an extra load of laundry.
I'm not sure if in game recovery would really be a big deal in the sports mentioned, in others it certainly might.
@ tattoo
The avg (pro)football player runs for a total of 5min per game. If it was HS ironman style it changes the whole picture.
Kinda piggybacking off of mabe: An increase in mitochondria, larger heart, with thicker walls that would allow for better recovery\better workouts over the long haul? At a low intensity it'd have little to no downside to power. The only real cost would be time and maybe an extra load of laundry.
I'm not sure if in game recovery would really be a big deal in the sports mentioned, in others it certainly might.
@ tattoo
The avg (pro)football player runs for a total of 5min per game. If it was HS ironman style it changes the whole picture.
original poster didn't say anything about pro or high school level and far more play high school ball than college or pro. some of the overall fitness question has to do with recovery time between plays and also the ability to do keep going all out for 5 seconds play after play. i don't think anybody believes the jogging that football players do has anything to do with speed or power. just getting them used to sustaining effort.
You know, catching last couple seconds of a NFL game this weekend (Vikings-Ravens?) as the offense was marching down the field in no-huddle offense, one of the commentators said "this is why you spend all the time on conditioning in training camp!". I thought it was timely.
running speed and aerobics
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