Anaerobic capacity and power in endurance running - there is more than lactate

Introduction: The anaerobic metabolism contributes 10 to 50% of total energy demand during endurance exercise of 8 to 2 min and is understood well on a cellular level.(1,2) Nonetheless, its role for endurance performance is a matter of debate. Uncertainty concerning valid measurement of anaerobic capacity and power (3,4) could be a confounding factor for addressing this debate. Hence, purpose of this study was to collect 13 different metrics of anaerobic capacity and power, test within-variable relationships and assess explained variance for 3- and 12-min running performance.

Methods: 40 trained male and female runners completed three test days. The first two days incorporated a 3- and 12-min time trial (TT) to assess running performance, critical speed (CS) and finite distance capacity (D’). Additionally, participants completed a 100-m sprint (v100, MSS, cLamax, ASR, SRR) and jump test (CMJ). The third day consisted of an incremental test to exhaustion and a 4-min TT one hour thereafter. Gas exchange was recorded to assess maximal aerobic speed (MAS), VO2max, running economy, and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD, %ANAER). ... mehrMaximal post-test lactate concentration was measured for all exhaustive tests (LaRT, LaTT3, LaTT4, LaTT12). Interaction between anaerobic variables and explained variance of TT performance was tested through (multiple) regression analysis.

Results: Metrics of anaerobic power (v100, MSS, CMJ, cLamax) displayed high interrelationships (r=0.76-0.98, p<0.001). Anaerobic capacity metrics were interrelated to a moderate extent in the case of MAOD, %ANAER, D’ and LaTT3 (r=0.34-0.66, p<0.05), but LaRT, LaTT4, LaTT12 showed weak or absent relationships with MAOD, %ANAER and D’ (r<0.47). Anaerobic power explained 15-51% of the variance for 3-min and up to 19% for 12-min TT performance. Capacity metrics (MAOD, %ANAER, D’) 13-36% and 1-13% for 3- and 12-min TT, respectively. No variance in TT could be explained by post-exhaustive lactate measures. Multiple regression models increased explained variance to 86% and 89% for 3- and 12-min TT. VO2max explained greatest variance for both TTs, and anaerobic metrics (MAOD, D’) contributed to higher explained variance for 3-min TT but failed to do so for 12-min TT.

Discussion: Amongst trained runners, both anaerobic power and capacity seem to be relevant for short but not longer duration endurance running. This is in line with previous work, which suggests high energy contribution from anaerobic pathways in short endurance exercise.(1) Absent relationships of post-exhaustion lactate and endurance performance may be attributed to the measurement of a net concentration, which can be influenced by various factors.(2) In accordance with previous articles,(3) we recommend caution with post-exhaustion lactate when testing trained runners. MSS, CMJ, MAOD and D’ can be viable alternatives based on our results.

1) Gastin (2001) Sports Med
2) Robergs et al. (2004) Sports Med
3) Green & Dawson (1993) Sports Med
4) Noordhof et al. (2013) IJSPP