Longitudinal study on maximal oxygen consumption in intercollegiate female cross country runners

Abstract

Female cross country runners were studied to determine if periods of formal and informal training significantly altered VO2max and related physiological variables. Twenty-seven Ss initially tested ranged in age from 18 to 24 yr. Four treadmill VO2max tests conducted over a period of 6 mo included a preseason (T1), postseason (T2), post winter break (T3), and a 30-days post winter break (T4) test. Eight to 11 wk of cross country training took place between T1 and T2, 9 to 12 wk of offseason training from T2 to T3, and an additional 4 to 5 wk of track season to T4. Ten Ss completed all 4 tests. The 27 Ss tested recorded a T1 VO2max of 56.6 mlkg-1min-1. The T2 BO2max for 19 Ss was 59.0 mlkg-1min-1. Eleven Ss had a VO2max of 56.2 mlkg-1min-1 for T3 and 10 Ss recorded 60.7 mlkg-1min-1 for T4. A one way ANOVA with repeated measures was calculated using all Ss who completed each test while the 10 Ss who completed all 4 tests were treated separately. No sig (p>.05) diff were found in body weight, VEmax, VO2max (1min-1 and mlkg-1min-1), HRmax, RERmax, and treadmill run time between any of the 4 tests. The results indicated that in-season and off-season training did not differ substantially enough to elicit changes in cardiorespiratory endurance. It was concluded that the high initial fitness level of these Ss contributed to the lack of significant change in these physiological parameters.