1. To compare the economy of elite and non-elite men and women runners.
Abstract
Running economy [RE], or the oxygen consumption for a given speed, has been shown to predict performance in runners of similar ability and/or VO2peak. PURPOSE: To compare the economy of elite and non-elite runners. METHODS: 30 men and 12 women [348 yrs] who varied widely in performance and aerobic capacity were tested. VO2peak was determined using a discontinuous, incremental protocol and RE was measured at 198 m/min on a 0.5% grade, representing 44-90% of VO2peak. Scores were assigned based upon past performances over a variety of distances [5]. Runners with scores corresponding to sub-15 minutes/5k or sub-17:20/5k [men, women respectively] were classified as Elite. RESULTS: VO2peak for men was 72 and 54 ml/kg/min , and for the women was 61 and 52 ml/kg/min [Elite and Non-Elite, respectively].
Elite men used 6% less oxygen than Non-Elite men. Elite women tended to be less economical than Elite men, and had economies similar to Non-Elite women [p=0.74]. RE was correlated to performance scores in men [r -.54, p 0.002] but not women [r -.16, p 0.65]. CONCLUSIONS: RE is related to performance in a heterogeneous group of men; Elite men are more economical than Non-Elite and Elite women.
Economy
At 198 ml / min 0.5%
Men
ml/kg/min
[p = 0.01]
Women
[p=0.74]
Elite
[p=0.07]
37.7 ± 2.1
42.2 ± 4.1
Non-Elite
[p=0.12]
40.3 ± 3.6
42.1 ± 1.4
Introduction
Maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max], lactate
threshold, and running economy [RE] are
important factors influencing running
performance [3].
RE, or the energy demand for a given running
velocity, accounts for a significant proportion
of variation in distance running performance
in runners of comparable VO2max [8].
Most studies have compared RE in runners
with similar performance history or with similar
VO2max [3,8]
Aerobic fitness may not indicate better economy;
an inverse relationship has been found between
energy costs and VO2max [9].
The effect of gender on RE is controversial [1,4].
Purpose
To compare the economy of elite and non-elite men and women runners.

2. Table 1: Subject Descriptives
Methods
Subjects
30 men and 12 women of widely varied abilities recruited from
local and elite running clubs.
Classified as “Elite” or “Non-Elite” according to 5 K performances
in previous 2 years.
- Elite criteria for men: 5K PR <15:00 min
- Elite criteria for women: 5K PR < 17:20 min
Protocol
All testing done on same day.
Anthropometric measurements performed.
VO2peak determined using incremental, discontinuous protocol to
exhaustion. Starting speed differed according to ability. Gas
exchange measurements averaged every 20 seconds.
- treadmill set at 0.5% grade
- work increased ~ 5 watts/kg body weight every 4 min
- starting speed varied from m/min
Economy data collected at 198 m/min
- steady-state VO2 for last 2 minutes [<1 ml difference]
-<90% VO2max
Scores assigned based on 5K PR [5]
- VDOT scores permit:
- comparison of performances over various distances
- categorization of runners by ability
Results
Table 1: Subject Descriptives
Elite Men
n=11
Non-Elite Men
n=21
Elite Women
n=5
Non-Elite Women
n=9
Age
28.3
± 3.8*
39.3
±8.0*
28.8
± 3.3
32.8
± 3.8
Weight kg
67.8
±7.1*
78.1
±10.8*
49.6
± 2.5
57.1
± 9.9
Height cm
179.9
±6.4
179
±7.3
157.2
162.0
± 9.1
VO2peak
ml/kg/min
72.3
±5.4*
53.8
±6.8*
60.7
± 3.4#
47.8
± 6.9#
Km/week
121
± 30*
± 25.8*
98.3
±24.2 #
40.3
± 19.4 #
5K PR
Min:sec
14:06 ± :24*
19:06
± 2:36*
16:54
± :40#
24:40
± 4:46#
*Elite Men vs. Non-Elite Men, p< #Elite Women vs. Non-Elite Women , p<0.01
Running Economy

3. Elite vs. Non-Elite Men and Women
VO2max, RE, VE198, and HR198 were factors related to performance scores in a heterogeneous group of men and women runners.
VO2max accounted for 67% of variance in VDOT scores; an additional 13% of variance was accounted for by RE.
RE was related to performance, but not to VO2max [r=0.22, p=0.16].
Elite men and women tended to be more economical than Non-Elite men and women, and Elite men were significantly more economical than Non-Elite men.
Men had better RE than women.
Running Economy
Elite vs. Non-Elite Men and Women
Table 2: Factors Affecting Performance Scores [VDOT]
Correlation Coefficient
Significance
Running Economy
[Sub-maximal VO2]
ml/kg/min
0.53
<0.001
Ventilation
[Submaximal]
l/min
0.51
VO2peak
0.84
Table 3: Predictors of VDOT Performance Scores:
Regression Analysis R R2
R2 Change
Significance of Change
VO2peak
0.82
0.67
<0.001
VO2peak + RE
0.90
0.80
0.13
VO2peak + RE + HR at 198 m/min
0.91
0.02
0.04
Summary of Findings

4. Discussion Conclusions References
Most studies of RE have examined populations of runners with similar performances and/or aerobic capacity [3,8]; few have evaluated RE among runners of disparate ability, and even fewer have included very elite athletes. A meta-analysis of 7 studies which evaluated RE concluded that elite male runners exhibit better economy than non-Elite runners [7]. However, Pate et al. have found that more aerobically fit individuals had lower RE [9]. Similar to the findings findings of Morgan et al., we found that the energy cost of running was 10% lower in Elite men, but not women, runners as compared their non-elite counterparts. The relationship of gender to economy is equivocal. Men have been reported to be more economical [2,4], equally as economical [1] and less economical than women [6]. Over a broad range of abilities we found men to be more economical than women, concurring with the findings of Daniels and Daniels.
No association was observed between VO2peak and RE. While RE has been found to explain much of the differences in performance in otherwise well-matched runners [8], we found that VO2peak accounted for the majority of differences in performance scores in a heterogeneous population of runners. RE did remain a significant, but less important, predictor of performance after accounting for aerobic capacity.
RE has been found to be correlated with ventilation [9]. We observed a direct relationship between VE and energy expenditure, however, the relationship was not significant in stepwise multiple regression after factoring in VO2peak.
Conclusions
Elite male runners have better RE than Non-Elite male runners.
RE did not differ between Elite and Non-Elite women.
VO2peak was the best predictor of performance, explaining 67% of the variation
in performance scores.
- RE explained an additional 13% of the variation in performance in a heterogeneous population of runners.
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