Relationship between the Lactate Threshold and cross-country run performance in high school male and female runners

This study evaluated the relationship between run performance, lactate threshold (LT), VO₂max, and running economy in adolescent boys (n = 11) and girls (n = 10). Subjects completed laboratory tests to establish VO₂max, LT, and running economy. The race performance was the finish time from a cross-country meet. The boys exhibited higher VO₂max (67.7 vs. 54.6 ml · kg-1 · min^-1) and VO₂ at LT (61.7 vs. 48.4 ml · kg^-1 · min^-1) compared with the girls (p < .05), but there was no difference in running economy, peak lactate, or the %VO₂max at LT (p > .05). VO₂max (r = -.70) and VO₂ at LT (r = -.74) were significantly correlated to performance for the boys, but running economy was not (r = .10). For the girls, VO₂max (r = -.90), VO₂ at LT (r = -.77), and running economy (r = -.86) were all significantly related to performance. LT was important for cross-country run performance. However, VO₂max was an equally strong or better predictor than either LT or running economy.