Mechanical work and long-distance performance prediction: the influence of allometric scaling

• Published in: Journal of human kinetics Vol. 38; pp. 73 - 82
• Main Authors: Tartaruga, Marcus Peikriszwili, Brisswalter, Jeanick, Mota, Carlos Bolli, Alberton, Cristine Lima, Gomeñuka, Natalia Andrea, Peyré-Tartaruga, Leonardo Alexandre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego w Katowicach 2013
• Subjects: body size; allometry; mechanical efficiency; human locomotion; running economy; cost of running
• ISSN: 1640-5544; 1899-7562
• DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2013-0047

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of allometric scaling on the relationship between mechanical work and long-distance running performance in recreational runners. Fourteen recreational long-distance runners (male, mean ± SD - age: 29 ± 7 years; body mass: 70.0 ± 10.2 kg; body height: 1.71 ± 0.07 m; maximal oxygen uptake: VO2max 52.0 ± 4.9 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) performed two tests: a continuous incremental test to volitional exhaustion in order to determine VO2max, and a 6-minute running submaximal test at 3.1 m·s(-1), during which segments in the sagittal plane were recorded using a digital camera and the internal (Wint), external (Wext) and total (Wtot) mechanic work, in J·kg(-1)·m(-1), was subsequently calculated. The results indicated a significant correlation between mechanical work and performance, however, the strongest correlations were observed when allometric exponents were used (respectively for Wint, Wext and Wtot; non allometric vs. allometric scaling defined by literature (0.75) or determined mathematically (0.49): r = 0.38 vs. r = 0.44 and r = 0.50; r = 0.80 vs. r = 0.83 and r = 0.82; r = 0.70 vs. r = 0.77 and r = 0.78). These results indicate that mechanical work could be used as a predictor of recreational long-distance performance and an allometric model may improve this prediction.