Colaço P. e Santos P. (2000). Prediction of performance in an 800m competition based on the two speed test. 2000 Pre-Olympic Congress. Book of abstracts: 400.

The performance in young middle-distance runners is dependent, among other factors, on their aerobic and anaerobic capacity levels. Assessment of these capacities is an important contribute to a better understanding concerning performance differences and an important tool which can be used in training control. In this study, we’ve used the two-speed test (2ST) (Mader et al., 1980) to determine the anaerobic capacity in a group of young runners and related these data with the results obtained during an 800m competition.

The sample consisted of 12 male junior athletes (18.6±0.5years), all qualified for the Portuguese junior championships. The 2ST (2x300m) was performed within a maximum period of 7 days relatively to an 800m competition, using as intensities 80-85% and >95% of maximal speed, respectively. Recovery time between each step was 25min. Maximal lactate was determined after each step and also after competition (C800) using a YSI-1500L Sport. The running speed at 4mmol/l was determined from test results. Correlation and linear regression were used.

The maximum lactate obtained was 14.52±1.46mmol/l after the 2ST (LM2ST) and 15.09±1.48mmol/l after C800 (LMC800). The mean running speed at the 800m competition (VC800) was 6.76±0.20m/s. The V4 obtained in the 2ST (V42ST) was 6.36±0.36m/s. The correlation between VC800 and LM2ST was low (r=0.30; p<0.05). Linear regression analysis showed a beta=0.91 (p=0.0001) between VC800 and V42ST (r2=83%).

Main conclusions: (1) the best athletes are not necessarily those with higher lactate accumulation after maximum efforts; (2) however the high correlation between V42ST and VC800 allows us to suggest that the former, with might be used as a predictor in 800m competitions.