Preseason Mileage Influences the In-Season Training Effect in Female Cross Country Runners

Preseason Mileage Influences the In-Season Training Effect in Female Cross Country Runners

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze how preseason mileage influences the in-season training effect on maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) and lactate threshold (LT) in trained NAIA runners. Methods: Eight female distance runners (age 21.2 0.5 y) ran preseason mileage prior to the start of the cross country season. Subjects completed a graded treadmill test to determine VO_2max and VO₂ at OBLA (VO₂ OBLA) at the beginning and end of a 9 week competitive season. Results: Postseason testing revealed VO_2max significantly improved (p=0.009), while no significant improvement occurred in VO₂ OBLA (p=0.145). Preseason mileage was significantly correlated with % VO₂ OBLA (r = -0.711) but not with % VO_2max (r = -0.440). Average 6 km performance was correlated with preseason mileage (r = -0.710), preseason VO_2max (r = -0.944), preseason VO₂ OBLA (r = -0.968), and % VO₂ OBLA (r = 0.745). Conclusions: These results indicate how running mileage in the preseason influences the extent to which VO_2max and VO₂ OBLA change in-season and contributes to 6 km performance.