Influence of the oxygen uptake slow component on the aerobic energy cost of high-intensity submaximal treadmill running in humans.

During high-intensity running, the oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics is characterised by a slow component which delays the attainment of the steady-state beyond the 3rd min of exercise. To assess if the aerobic energy cost of running measured at the 3rd min (C3) adequately reflects the variability of the true aerobic energy cost measured during the steady-state (Css), 13 highly-trained runners completed sessions of square-wave running at intensities above 80% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on a level treadmill. To evaluate the time at which the steady-state VO2 was attained (tss), the VO2 responses were described using a general double-exponential equation and tss was defined as the time at which VO2 was less than 1% below the asymptotic value given by the model. All the subjects achieved a steady state for intensities equal to or greater than 92% VO2max, and 8 out of 13 achieved it at 99% VO2max. In all cases, tss was less than 13 min. For intensities greater than 85% VO2max, Css was significantly higher than C3 and was positively related to %VO2 max (r=0.44; P < 0.001) while C3 remained constant. The C3 only explained moderately the variability of Css (0.39 < r2 < 0.72, depending on the velocity or the (relative intensity at which the relationship was calculated). Moreover, the excess aerobic energy cost of running the (difference between Css and C3) was well predicted by age (0.90 < r2 < 0.93). Therefore, when the aerobic profile of runners is evaluated, it is recommended that their running efficiencies at velocities which reflect their race intensities should be determined, with VO2 data being measured at the true steady-state.