Body-Mass-Modified Running Economy and Step Length in Elite Male Middle- and Long-Distance Runners

Abstract To minimize the influence of body mass on oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 ) during running, submaximal and maximal V̇O 2 should preferentially be expressed as ml · kg -0.75 · min -1 . In this study, the levels of such body-mass-modified running economy were investigated at different velocities in elite runners and related to step lengths and anthropometric measures. Twenty-six Swedish National Team middle- and long-distance runners performed submaximal (4 velocities) and maximal treadmill tests. In 17 runners repeated (2-4) tests were performed within 6 months. The maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 max; 214 vs 202 ml · kg -0.75 · min -1 ) and running velocity at 4 mmol · 1 -1 blood lactate were higher in the long- (n = 12) than in the middle-distance group (n = 14). The oxygen uptake at 15 km · h -1 (V̇O 2 15 ) was lower (129 vs 138 ml · kg -0.75 · min -1 , p