Comparison of %HR Between Trained and Untrained Runners in 1,500m

Appreciation
This article is in dedication to the late Dave Williams, who was my Lecturer and Supervisor during my research days in Loughbrough University. The  research project  was a requirement for my Degree of Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports Science. Dave Williams, an avid triathlete, was found to be the best lecturer  who can apply Physiology in practical terms. He was able to give me an insight into termo-regulation and lactate threshold. Hence, I attribute some of my coaching success to him.

I also would like to thank my friends Justin Fernandez and Benjamin Kwok in giving me feedback about this research.

A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports Science. 

Loughborough University of Technology    Apr, 1994

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to make comparisons between trained male runners, who are club athletes, and untrained male and female individuals to see whether there are significant differences in %HR max during subsequent stages and at the finish of a 1,500m performance run. Twenty-nine subjects (21male, 8 female) participated in this study. Thirteen of them were trained individuals, consisting of club athletes, and the other sixteen were untrained counterparts. Twenty-four subjects were able to complete both 1,500m performance run on the track as well as on the treadmill. Field and labratory measurements were made for oxygen consumption and heart rate during 1,500m treadmill run and VO2 max test. During the 1,500m treadmill run, there were no significant differences between the trained and the untrained in their %HR max and %VO2 utilised. However, significant differences (p<0.01) were found between the trained and untrained individuals in time of the performance run by the trained male and untrained male individuals were significantly faster (p<0.01) than the untrained female subjects. Although, the trained runners were running faster than their untrained counterparts,the data from this study suggests that a 1,500m run imposed a cardio-respiratory stress which was similar when the athletes and non-athletes were compared.

At every stage of the run, it was found that %HR was always higher than %VO2 utilised. Furthermore, at all running speeds above 90% VO2 max, the faster runners were able to consume more oxygen of their absolute VO2 max value as compared to the untrained groups. There was also a negative correlation betwen VO2 max (ml/kg/min) and performance time in the 1.5km race was r= 0.934. However, the relationship between HRmax and 1500m performance time showed poor correlations.

The findings suggest that there were no significant differences between the trained and the untrained individuals in percentage HR max during a 1,500m performance run. This relationship holds regardless of sex or whether the individual is trained or untrained. Furthermore, this study revealed that successful distance running is dependent on a highly developed aerobic capacity and the ability to employ a large fraction of that capacity.

Key Words : Trained male runners versus untrained female and male individuals, VO2 max, %HRmax and 1500m run.