AUTHOR=Figueiredo Diogo Hilgemberg , Figueiredo Diego Hilgemberg , Manoel Francisco de Assis , Machado Fabiana Andrade 

TITLE=Peak Running Velocity or Critical Speed Under Field Conditions: Which Best Predicts 5-km Running Performance in Recreational Runners?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.680790

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.680790

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to examine which variable, between the peak running velocity determined on the track field (<italic>V</italic><sub>peak_TF</sub>) and critical speed (CS), is the best predictor of the 5-km running performance in recreational runners. Twenty-five males performed three tests to determine the <italic>V</italic><sub>peak_TF</sub>, CS, and 5-km running performance on the track field, with a minimal interval of 48 h between each test. The <italic>V</italic><sub>peak</sub><sub>_<italic>TF</italic></sub> protocol started with a velocity of 8 km⋅h<sup>–1</sup>, followed by an increase of 1 km⋅h<sup>–1</sup> every 3 min until volitional exhaustion, which was controlled by sound signals, with cones at every 25 m indicating when the participants were required to pass the cone’s position to maintain the required velocity. The participants performed three time trials (TTs) (1: 2,600 m; 2: 1,800 m; and 3: 1,000 m) on the same day, with a 30-min rest period to determine the CS through the combinations of three (CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>2</sub>,<sub>3</sub>) and two TTs (CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>2</sub>, CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>3</sub>, and CS<sub>2</sub>,<sub>3</sub>). The 5-km running performance time was recorded to determine the test duration, and the mean velocity (MV) was calculated. There was a significant difference observed between the <italic>V</italic><sub>peak_TF</sub> and the MV 5-km running performance. However, no differences were found between the CS values and the MV 5-km running performance. A correlation was observed between the <italic>V</italic><sub>peak_TF</sub> (<italic>R</italic> = −0.90), CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>2</sub>,<sub>3</sub> (<italic>R</italic> = −0.95), CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>3</sub> (<italic>R</italic> = −0.95), and the 5-km running performance time. Linear regression indicated that the <italic>V</italic><sub>peak_TF</sub> (<italic>R</italic><sup>2</sup> = 0.82), CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>2</sub>,<sub>3</sub> (<italic>R</italic><sup>2</sup> = 0.90), and CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>3</sub> (<italic>R</italic><sup>2</sup> = 0.90) significantly predicted the 5-km running performance time. The CS results showed a higher predictive power for the 5-km running performance, slightly better than the <italic>V</italic><sub>peak_TF</sub>. Also, CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>2</sub>,<sub>3</sub> and the CS<sub>1</sub>,<sub>3</sub> presented the highest predictive power for the 5-km running performance of recreational runners.</p>