Abstract
The power-endurance time curve described for cycle ergometry has been examined with
respect to high velocity treadmill running to exhaustion. On a cycle ergometer, a
hyperbolic function has been described that can be linearized'by expressing power
relative to the inverse of time to exhaustion. The mathematical relationship of this
linear function is P = W'/t + θf, where P = power output, W' = slope of regression,
and θf = fatigue threshold (intercept of power output). Six cross-country runners
took part as subjects. Each ran to exhaustion with the treadmill at 6 different velocities
between 19.2 and 22.4 km/h. The linear regressions fitted to velocity versus 1/time
had correlation coefficients between r = 0.979 and 0.997. It was concluded that the treadmill velocity-endurance time realtionship
for runs of 2-12 min duration conformed to a similar hyperbolic function as that described
for cycle ergometry. The two parameters W' and θf might provide valuable indices of
physical performance potential, which can be used to monitor training responses in
competitive runners.
Key words
endurance - running - aerobic power - anaerobic capacity
