Set distance time trials for predicting maximal aerobic speed in female Australian Rules Footballers

Abstract

Objectives: Maximal aerobic speed (MAS) may be predicted from 2.0km time trial (TT) running speed in male Australian Rules football (AF) players. Given the between-sex differences in physiological variables precursory to endurance performance, and the impact of this on MAS distance limit, this study determined running speed across various TT distances best approximating MAS in female AF players.

Method: 33 female AF players completed assessments of MAS and TT performance separated by at least 48h. In a randomised order, half of the athletes completed TT distances of 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0km, and the other half completed distances of 1.4, 1.8 and 2.2km. Bias, limits of agreement (LOA) and linear mixed modelling determined agreement between TT-derived running speed and MAS.

Results: Average speed for all TT distances were different to MAS (bias≥0.59±0.45km·h^-1; p≤0.015) with the exception of the 1.4km TT (bias=-0.12±0.26km·h^-1; p=0.34). LOA was narrowest for the 1.4km TT (±0.76km·h^-1; ±6.1%) compared to other TT distances (±0.82-1.67km·h^-1; ±6.7-12.9%). A significant linear association between bias and TT distance (r=-0.73; p<0.001) indicated TT speed would be equal to MAS when a 1.4-1.5km TT was completed, and that MAS may be predicted from any distance between 1.2 and 2.2km.

Conclusions: MAS was best approximated by a 1.4-1.5km TT in female AF players, but may be predicted from TT speed for any distance between 1.2 and 2.2km. TT-derived MAS provides a time and resource efficient method for the quantification of aerobic fitness and prescription of future training intensities.

Keywords: Agreement; Distance limit; Duration limit; Female athletes; Speed at maximal oxygen consumption; Training intensity.