Comparison of Maximum Oxygen Consumption (Vo2 Max) of Distance Runners |

ABSTRACT:

Physiological study in relation to exercise and actualphysical demand during event is very important to critically understandphysiological basis of performance. The fatigue causing factors workload,recovery pattern from fatigue etc. should be very specifically understood inreal terms. Understanding this background, the research scholar took up  research project to investigate in- depth anddetailed Physiological responses of two Long distance running events 5000mtsand 10.000mts.For the purpose of this study Heart rate, Respiratory rate andVO2 max. were chosen as the Indicators of physiological responses and fatigueof long distance runners. The cardio-respiratory parameters were indicators aswell as basis of aerobic and anaerobic performance capacity. Comparison ofmaximum oxygen consumption (vo2 max.) of 5000m and 10000m distancefor assessing the Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO2 max.) Cooper’s12-minutes run/walk test was administered and the distance covered in12-minutes was recorded and put in the formula to calculate the VO2Max. in ml/kg/min. (VO2 max.)= (D12 -505)/45. Where D12 = distancerun in 12- minutes. In order to analyze the data descriptive statistics andindependent- test was applied and level of significance was set at 0.05level.it is evident that t-value is 1.32 which is not significant at 0.05 levelwith 18 degree of freedom. It indicates that mean scores of maximum oxygenconsumption (VO2 max) of 5000 mts and 10,000 mts runners do not differsignificantly. Thus, it implies statistically the difference between the meanscores of VO2 max of both the groups 74.22 and 75.56 were insignificant. Thelong distance running events like 5000mts and 10,000mts are not absolutelyaerobic event. The anaerobic proportion of Long distance running  5000mts and 10,000mts is of significant leveland fatigue caused in these events are due to anaerobic glycolysis and lactateaccumulation is also in significant proportion along with aerobic part of theactivity. The anaerobic lactate threshold of 5000mts and 10,000mts runnersnormally starts at 75-80% of VO2 max. Heart rate assessment is one of the mosteffective and comprehensive method to examine load intensity, load factor orfatigue evaluation. A typical 5,000mts and 10,000mts events places workloaddemand intensity between 80-85% of maximum when observed in terms of heart rateat the end of the event.