Energetics of male field-sport athletes during the 3-min all-out test for linear and shuttle-based running

3-min All-out Test to Evaluate Aerobic and Anaerobic Indexes in Court Team Sports

This study aimed to test the reproducibility of the 3-min all-out effort applied using shuttle running and compare its values to aerobic parameters. On the first day, 14 futsal players underwent an exhaustive test to determine the maximal incremental speed (MIS) and anaerobic threshold (AnT). On the second day, the participants performed the 3-min all-out effort (n=14), which was repeated after 48 h (third day) to test its reproducibility (n=11). Peak oxygen consumption (V̇ O2PEAK) and peak blood lactate concentrations ([La-]) were determined from 3-min all-out efforts performed through a 20-m shuttle run on the official court. The distance covered, mean speed, and critical speed (CS) during the 3-min all-out presented direct relationships with aerobic parameters determined through the incremental test (r>0.62). The distance covered above CS (D') presented a direct relationship with peak lactate concentrations induced by a 3-min all-out effort (r=0.81). Despite the acceptable levels of reproducibility observed for most of the 3-min all-out variables, the minimal detectable change for D' was high (72%). Our results demonstrated the potential use of mean speed to evaluate aerobic fitness. However, the applicability of the 3-min all-out shuttle run test to monitor training adaptations should be avoided, at least in nonexperienced athletes.

Application of the Force-velocity-power Concept to the 3-Min all-out Running Test

Force-velocity-power (FVP) profiling offers insights related to key factors that may enhance or hinder sprinting performances. Whether the same FVP principles could be applied to the sprinting portion of the 3-minute all-out test for running (3MT) has not been previously investigated. Twenty moderately trained participants volunteered for the study (age: 24.75 ± 3.58 yrs; height: 1.69±0.11 m; mass: 73.74±12.26 kg). After familiarization of all testing procedures, participants completed: (i) a 40-m all-out sprint test, and (ii) a 3MT. Theoretical maximal force and power, but not velocity, were significantly higher for the 40-m sprint test. Most FVP variables from the two tests were weakly to moderately correlated, with the exception of maximal velocity. Finally, maximal velocity and relative peak power were predictive of D', explaining approximately 51% of the variance in D'. Although similar maximal velocities are attained during both the 40-m sprint and the 3MT, the underlying mechanisms are markedly different. The FVP parameters obtained from either test are likely not interchangeable but do provide valuable insights regarding the potential mechanisms by which D' may be improved.

Critical speed and finite distance capacity: norms for athletic and non-athletic groups

PURPOSE

Two parameters in particular span both health and performance; critical speed (CS) and finite distance capacity (D'). The purpose of the present study was to: (1) classify performance norms, (2) distinguish athletic from non-athletic individuals using the 3-min all-out test (3MT) for running, and (3) introduce a deterministic model highlighting the relationship between variables of the 3MT.

METHODS

Athletic (n = 43) and non-athletic (n = 25) individuals participated in the study. All participants completed a treadmill graded exercise test (GXT) with verification bout and a 3MT on an outdoor sprinting track.

RESULTS

Meaningful differences between non-athletic and athletic individuals (denoted by mean difference scores, p value and Cohen's d with 95% confidence intervals) were evident for CS (- 0.74 m s^-1, p < 0.001, d = - 1.41 [1.97, - 0.87]), exponential growth time constant ([Formula: see text]; 2.75 s, p < 0.001, d = - 1.29 [- 1.45, - 0.42]), time to maximal speed ([Formula: see text]; - 2.80 s, p < 0.001, d = - 0.98 [- 1.51, - 0.47]), maximal speed ([Formula: see text]; - 1.36 m s^-1, p < 0.001, d = - 1.56 [- 2.13, - 1.01]), gas exchange threshold (GET; - 5.62 ml kg^-1 min^-1, p < 0.001, d = - 0.97 [- 1.50, - 0.45]), distance covered in the first minute (1st min; - 81.69 m, p < 0.001, d = - 1.91 [- 2.52, - 1.33]), distance covered in the second minute (2nd min; - 52.02 m, p < 0.001, d = - 1.71 [- 2.30, - 1.15]) and maximal distance (- 153.78 m, p < 0.001, d = - 1.27 [- 1.82, - 0.74]). The correlation coefficient between key physiological and performance variables are shown in the form of a deterministic model created from the data derived from the 3MT.

CONCLUSIONS

Coaches and clinicians may benefit from the use of normative data to potentially identify exceptional or irregular occurrences in 3MT performances.