Tests and assessment in endurance running

Name:                  Tomas Kalina

Affiliation:         Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

Lecture abstract:

One of the basic principles of sports training management is evaluation. The evaluation process is
based on the evaluation of data obtained from measurements or observations for optimization of
training process. From the perspective of endurance running, four determinants of performance are
fundamental: maximum oxygen consumption, fractional utilization, lactate/ventilatory threshold and
running economy.

The above determinants can be measured both in the laboratory and in the field settings. Most
commonly, we use a motorized calibrated treadmill and a gas analyser to evaluate functional
parameters such as oxygen consumption, ventilation, etc. According to the test protocol (ramp,
continual, graded, intermittent and combination of previous), we determine the values ​​that can
enter the assessment of body condition and trained runners. It has been found that in
performance-homogeneous groups, a more accurate indicator of running performance is the running
economy than the maximum oxygen consumption. Through the concept of running economy, for example,
improvement of running performance can be explained by including additional muscle strength
training without changing the VO2max parameter. Respiratory parameters VO2 and VCO2 are in the
endurance run related to body weight (and therefore also the fat-free component of weight is an
important variable). During the stress test, the kinematic analysis parameters can be monitored
using a 3D video system. From the point of view of the application of trainers in practice, this
analysis is more often performed in 2D mode in the sagittal and frontal plane by a common video
recording. 2D video recording, resp. photographs of each gait key positions, are often used in the
commercial sphere to select the appropriate footwear. Another possible outcome is the evaluation of
running technique. Running technique does not have standards, but there are key points in the
technique that coaches want to keep their athletes in their sports performance. Under field
conditions, most of the above parameters can be observed due to the advent of new technologies and
algorithms (Garmin Running Dynamics, Stryd, etc.).

Last but not least, the practice of endurance runner coaches is also the assessment of movement. An
example of a practice/test is a squatting exercise or testing the capacity of one of the most
important parts of the runner's body - single leg calf raise. Furthermore, the classical detection
of strength abilities (1RM and/or 3RM) in squat and deadlift. In view of the plyometric qualities
of the runner (indicating the ability to use elastic components), the evaluation of the reactive
force index (RSI) in drop jump is also desirable.

Finally, a plethora of tests can put the trainers themselves in the trap to test them. However, the
primary reason for testing should remain the selection of sports talents and the positive impact of
sports training on endurance performance.