Oxygen uptake, velocity at lactate threshold, and running economy in elite special forces

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), velocity at lactate threshold (V(LT)), and running economy (RE) in a group of Special Force Squad members.

METHODS: VO2 peak, V(LT), and RE of 120 male elite special force police squad members (VO2 peak, 57.4 +/- 4.3 mL minute(-1) kg(-1); age, 28.9 +/- 5.2 years; body mass index, 24.2 +/- 1.6 kg m(-2)) were tested using an incremental treadmill protocol (2.4 m second(-1), increase 0.4 m second(-1) every 5 minutes). Running velocities at the first lactate inflection point (V(LT)) and blood lactate concentration at 4 mmol L(-1) (V4) were determined. RE was defined as oxygen uptake in mL kg(-1) minute(-1) at 3.2 m second(-1).

RESULTS: Analysis revealed little or no correlation between V4, V(LT), VO2 peak, and RE (r = 0.02-0.35; p = 0.01-0.80).

CONCLUSIONS: (1) VO2 peak, V(LT), and RE do not correlate in elite squad members. (2) All 3 variables should be assessed when comparing inter- and intraindividual differences in endurance performance of Special Force Squad members.