Characteristics associated with 10-km running performance among a group of highly trained male endurance runners age 21-63 years

This study assessed physiological and cardiac factors associated with 10-km running performance in a group of highly trained endurance runners age 21-63 years. Participants (N = 37) underwent a resting echocardiograph and incremental treadmill running test. They also provided information on their recent 10-km races. Data were analyzed using "best subsets" multiple regression. Declines with age were found for 10-km running speed (0.26 m . s(-1) . decade(-1)), maximum heart rate (4 beats/decade), VO2peak (6 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1) . decade(-1)), velocity at lactate threshold (1 m . s(-1) . decade(-1)), and VO2 at lactate threshold (4 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1) . decade(-1)). The percentage of VO2peak at which lactate threshold occurred increased with age by 1.5% per decade. The rate of change of displacement of the atrioventricular plane at the left free wall and septum both declined by 1 cm . s(-1) . decade(-1). The best single predictor of 10-km running speed was velocity at lactate threshold.