Maximal Time Spent at VO(2max) from Sprint to the Marathon

Until recently, it was thought that maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) was elicited only in middle-distance events and not the sprint or marathon distances. We tested the hypothesis that VO(2max) can be elicited in both the sprint and marathon distances and that the fraction of time spent at VO(2max) is not significantly different between distances. Methods: Seventy-eight well-trained males (mean [SD] age: 32 [13]; weight: 73 [9] kg; height: 1.80 [0.8] m) performed the University of Montreal Track Test using a portable respiratory gas sampling system to measure a baseline VO(2max). Each participant ran one or two different distances (100 m, 200 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 10 km or marathon) in which they are specialists. Results: VO(2max) was elicited and sustained in all distances tested. The time limit (Tlim) at VO(2max) on a relative scale of the total time (Tlim at VO(2max)%Ttot) during the sprint, middle-distance, and 1500 m was not significantly different (p > 0.05). The relevant time spent at VO(2max) was only a factor for performance in the 3000 m group, where the Tlim at VO(2max)%Ttot was the highest (51.4 [18.3], r = 0.86, p = 0.003). Conclusions: By focusing on the solicitation of VO(2max), we demonstrated that the maintenance of VO(2max) is possible in the sprint, middle, and marathon distances.