Activity

Running
The Correlation between Running Economy
and Maximal Oxygen Uptake: Cross-Sectional
and Longitudinal Relationships in Highly
Trained Distance Runners

Abstract
A positive relationship between running economy and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max)
has been postulated in trained athletes, but previous evidence is equivocal and could have
been confounded by statistical artefacts. Whether this relationship is preserved in response
to running training (changes in running economy and V̇O2max) has yet to be explored. This
study examined the relationships of (i) running economy and V̇O2max between runners,
and (ii) the changes in running economy and V̇O2max that occur within runners in response
to habitual training. 168 trained distance runners (males, n = 98, V̇O2max 73.0 ± 6.3
mLkg-1min-1; females, n = 70, V̇O2max 65.2 ± 5.9 mL kg-1min-1) performed a discontinuous
submaximal running test to determine running economy (kcalkm-1). A continuous incremental
treadmill running test to volitional exhaustion was used to determine V̇O2max 54 participants
(males, n = 27; females, n = 27) also completed at least one follow up assessment.
Partial correlation analysis revealed small positive relationships between running economy
and V̇O2max (males r = 0.26, females r = 0.25; P<0.006), in addition to moderate positive relationships
between the changes in running economy and V̇O2max in response to habitual
training (r = 0.35; P85% of the variance in these parameters unexplained
by this relationship, these findings reaffirm that running economy and V̇O2max are primarily
determined independently.

Introduction
Running economy (RE) and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) are two of the primary determinants
of endurance running performance [1–4]. The combination of RE and V̇O2max, defined as
the velocity at V̇O2max (vV̇O2max), has been found to account for ~94% of the inter-individualvariance in running performance over 16.1 km [5]. Consequently, exceptional values of both RE
and V̇O2max are considered requirements for success in elite endurance competitions, and endurance
runners strive to improve both parameters through training in order to maximise
performance. As the margin of success is extremely small in elite distance running, subtle enhancements
in either parameter could result in substantial performance gains. Therefore,
understanding the relationship of RE and V̇O2max both between and within individuals is necessary
to understand and optimise performance.

The Correlation between Running Economy
and Maximal Oxygen Uptake: Cross-Sectional
and Longitudinal Relationships in Highly
Trained Distance Runners

Abstract
A positive relationship between running economy and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max)
has been postulated in trained athletes, but previous evidence is equivocal and could have
been confounded by statistical artefacts. Whether this relationship is preserved in response
to running training (changes in running economy and V̇O2max) has yet to be explored. This
study examined the relationships of (i) running economy and V̇O2max between runners,
and (ii) the changes in running economy and V̇O2max that occur within runners in response
to habitual training. 168 trained distance runners (males, n = 98, V̇O2max 73.0 ± 6.3
mLkg-1min-1; females, n = 70, V̇O2max 65.2 ± 5.9 mL kg-1min-1) performed a discontinuous
submaximal running test to determine running economy (kcalkm-1). A continuous incremental
treadmill running test to volitional exhaustion was used to determine V̇O2max 54 participants
(males, n = 27; females, n = 27) also completed at least one follow up assessment.
Partial correlation analysis revealed small positive relationships between running economy
and V̇O2max (males r = 0.26, females r = 0.25; P<0.006), in addition to moderate positive relationships
between the changes in running economy and V̇O2max in response to habitual
training (r = 0.35; P85% of the variance in these parameters unexplained
by this relationship, these findings reaffirm that running economy and V̇O2max are primarily
determined independently.

Introduction
Running economy (RE) and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) are two of the primary determinants
of endurance running performance [1–4]. The combination of RE and V̇O2max, defined as
the velocity at V̇O2max (vV̇O2max), has been found to account for ~94% of the inter-individualvariance in running performance over 16.1 km [5]. Consequently, exceptional values of both RE
and V̇O2max are considered requirements for success in elite endurance competitions, and endurance
runners strive to improve both parameters through training in order to maximise
performance. As the margin of success is extremely small in elite distance running, subtle enhancements
in either parameter could result in substantial performance gains. Therefore,
understanding the relationship of RE and V̇O2max both between and within individuals is necessary
to understand and optimise performance.