Int J Sports Med 1991; 12(1): 30-33
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024651
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Acute Reduction in Maximal Oxygen Uptake After Long-Distance Running

R. H. Dressendorfer
  • Department of Human Performance & Sport New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Nine male marathon runners, 24 to 39 years of age, were studied during steady state and maximal graded treadmill exercise under control conditions (C) and immediately after a paced outdoor 21.1-km run averaging 89.5 min (E). The half-marathon run and both treadmill trials were performed at 239 ± 33 m/min. Oxygen uptake (V̇O2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), plasma lactate concentration (PLa), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured in the steady state at 0% grade and at the fatigue end point. Compared to C, mean values in E were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for time to exhaustion (6.0 vs 4.1 min), V̇O2max (60.0 vs 56.3 ml/kg/min), peak RER (1.18 vs 1.06), and PLa (9.7 vs 7.8 mM/L), whereas maximal HR (184 vs 184 b/min) and peak RPE (19.6 vs 19.9) were not significantly different between trials. Submaximal V̇O2 during steady-state runs was similar between C and E (44.4 vs 45.0 ml/kg/min; p = NS). Since the attainable V̇O2max decreased after E, the percentage of V̇O2max utilized during steady-state runs was higher, averaging 74% in C and 80% in E (p < 0.05). In the steady state during E, HR (153 vs 161 b/min) and RPE (13.2 vs 14.8) were higher (p < 0.05), and the increase in PLa from rest (2.7 vs 1.9 mM/L) was lower (p < 0.05). Submaximal HR during graded exercise in E was 7 to 8 b/min higher (p < 0.05) at a given V̇O2, indicating reduced heart rate reserve. The results show that the peak attainable V̇O2max acutely decreased after the 21.1-km run. Thus the fraction of V̇O2max utilized and the RPE may increase during a long-distance run even when the steady-state V̇O2 is unchanged.