(47) The difference in the anaerobic profile of elite and sub-elite 400 m sprinters

 
The performance in the 400 m sprint is determined to a large extent by the capacity of the anaerobic system and the tolerance to lactate accumulation. The anaerobic performance consists of several parameters such as: peak power, power drop and total work done. Each of these parameters represents a different training approach. Therefore, it is desirable to identify those parameters that differentiate between elite and sub-elite sprinters.

Objective: This study aimed to determine critical anaerobic performance parameters of elite and sub-elite sprinters and to identify significantly different parameters between these groups and a control group in order to determine optimal training direction.

Methods: A total of 249 subjects participated in the cross-sectional study. 149 Czech and Polish male 400 m sprinters divided into two groups: Elite (n: 82, personal best (PB): 48.5 ± 1.02 s, age: 21.2 ± 4), Sub-elite (n: 67, PB: 51.4 ± 1.82 s, age: 19 ± 2.7) and a Control group of physically active men (n: 100, age: 20.5 ± 1.2). The measurement was carried out on a single occasion in the pre-season period. After a non-specific warm-up (dynamic stretching) and a specific warm-up (5 minutes of low-intensity cycling), the participants performed two maximal Wingate tests of 30 seconds each with a load equal to 7.5 % of body weight. The tests were separated by a rest period of 3 minutes. Finger capillary blood samples were collected for blood lactate analysis before and during the exercise.

Results: The relative peak power outputs of the Wingate 1 were significantly (ρ < 0.05) different between the Elite (14 ± 2.03 W/kg), Sub-elite (13 ± 2.5 W/kg), and Control (10.9 ± 1.0 W/kg). The relative peak power outputs of the Wingate 2 did not differ significantly between the Elite (12.26 ± 1.85 W/kg) and the Sub-elite (11.82 ± 1.71 W/kg), but did differ significantly between the two performance groups and the Control group (9.19 ± 1.03 W/kg). The decrease in peak power between Wingate 1 and Wingate 2 was significantly lower in the Sub-elite (8.1±16%) compared to the Elite (12.8±9.4%) and the Control (15.3±9.1%). Relative total work in Wingate 1 was significantly higher in the Elite (0.294 ± 0.25 kJ/kg) compared to the Control (0.197 ± 0.023 kJ/kg), but did not show a significant difference from the Sub-elite (0.247 ± 0.065 kJ/kg). The relative total work in Wingate 2 was significantly lower in the Control (0.159 ± 0.029 kJ/kg) compared to the Elite (0.248 ± 0.203 kJ/kg) and the Sub-elite (0.229 ± 0.036 kJ/kg). Blood lactate level during the rest period between Wingate 1 and Wingate 2 was significantly higher in Elite (13.6 ± 2.1 mmol/l) compared to Sub-Elite (12.6 ± 2.7 mmol/l) and Control (11.4 ± 2 mmol/l).

Conclusions: Peak power output appears to be the main determinant of performance that separates elite from sub-elite performance. Although elite runners perform at higher blood lactate concentrations, they show a more significant decline in maximal power output over time and no difference in total anaerobic capacity compared to sub-elite sprinters.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Long sprint coaches should focus on maximum power training over speed endurance training. When selecting talent for the 400m sprint, preference should be given to individuals with high speed and strength potential.


Acknowledgements: The research was supported by Cooperatio SPOB and UNCE/HUM/032 and 
it was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2023/2024 as part of the University Research Project of the University of Physical Education in Warsaw - UPB No. 1