Cardiopulmonary responses and muscle strength influence running performance parameters differently at different slopes

Abstract

The analysis of trail-running performance appears to be complex and cardio-respiratory and muscular factors could have a variable importance depending on the inclination. Our study aims to determine the role of these parameters in performance. 13 subjects with heterogeneous levels participated in the study. They carried out 7 visits including 3 maximal aerobic speed (MAS) test at 1, 10 and 25% slope on treadmill, 3 endurance tests at 100% of the MAS reached at 1, 10 and 25% and an evaluation on isokinetic ergometer at different speeds (60-180-240 {\textdegree}/s). Gas exchange measured during the incremental tests. We were able to identify 2 groups, a performance and a recreational group. We observe a difference in VO2max, MAS at 1 and 10%, and maximal aerobic ascensional speed (MAaS) at 25%, between the 2 groups but no difference in VO2max and exhaustion time at 100% MAS between the different conditions (1-10-25%). Interestingly, at ventilatory thresholds the metabolic parameters, expressed as absolute or relative values, are similar between conditions (10-25%) while the ascensional speed are different. This study suggests that the measurement of ascensional speed is not as relevant as heart rate for controlling intensity given the variety of slope gradients in trail-running races