Prescribing 6-weeks of running training using parameters from a self-paced maximal oxygen uptake protocol

The self-paced maximal oxygen uptake test (SPV) may offer effective training prescription metrics for athletes. This study aimed to examine whether SPV-derived data could be used for training prescription.

Twenty-four recreationally active male and female runners were randomly assigned between two training groups: (1) Standardised (STND) and (2) Self-Paced (S-P). Participants completed 4 running sessions a week using a global positioning system-enabled (GPS) watch: 2 × interval sessions; 1 × recovery run; and 1 × tempo run. STND had training prescribed via graded exercise test (GXT) data, whereas S-P had training prescribed via SPV data. In STND, intervals were prescribed as 6 × 60% of the time that velocity at \(\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}\) (\(_{{\text{v}}}\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}\)) could be maintained (T_max). In S-P, intervals were prescribed as 7 × 120 s at the mean velocity of rating of perceived exertion 20 (_vRPE20). Both groups used 1:2 work:recovery ratio. Maximal oxygen uptake (\(\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}\)), \(_{{\text{v}}}\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}\), T_{max, v}RPE20, critical speed (CS), and lactate threshold (LT) were determined before and after the 6-week training.

STND and S-P training significantly improved \(\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}\) by 4 ± 8 and 6 ± 6%, CS by 7 ± 7 and 3 ± 3%; LT by 5 ± 4% and 7 ± 8%, respectively (all P < .05), with no differences observed between groups.

Novel metrics obtained from the SPV can offer similar training prescription and improvement in \(\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}\), CS and LT compared to training derived from a traditional GXT.