Prediction Of 5k And 10k Running Performance Using The 10-Min Submaximal Treadmill Test (T10) In Recreational Runners

The T10 submaximal running test has been validated to predict critical speed (CS) and can be used to define the training status and fitness level in recreational runners. PURPOSE: To determine the relation between the speed obtained by the T10 (sT10) and the average speed at 5k (s5k) and 10k (s10k) running performance in recreational endurance runners. METHODS: 34 male and 26 female recreational endurance runners (age: 32.78 ± 5.18 and 33.32 ± 4.85 years; VO2max: 55.79 ± 5.44 and 49.27 ± 6.11 ml-1.kg-1.min-1; s5k: 4.44 ± 0.54 and 3.65 ± 0.43 m.s-1; s10k: 4.14 ± 0.58 and 3.50 ± 0.41 m.s-1, for males and females respectively). A submaximal treadmill run was used to determine the sT10. On two subsequent visits, participants performed track trials of 1200, and 2400 m on separate days to determine CS. The sT10 and field tests were compared using Student's T test, and Pearson correlation coefficient and 95% confidence interval (95% IC) was used to examine the relation between sT10 and s5k and s10k. RESULTS: There was no difference between the CS and sT10 tests for males (4.20 ± 0.47 m·s-1 and 4.15 ± 0.48 m·s-1, p = 0.54) and females (3.51 ± 0.39 m·s-1 and 3.45 ± 0.45 m·s-1, p = 0.35). There were significant correlations between sT10 and s5k (r = 0.64, p < .001, 95%IC = 0.80 to 0.38; and r = 0.74, p < .001, 95%IC = 0.87 to 0.49), and s10k (r = 0.53, p = .003, 95%IC = 0.75 to 0.20; and r = 0.53, p = .009, 95%IC = 0.77 to 0.15) for both males and females, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that the T10 produces speeds similar to the field’s CS. The T10 can be used to predict performance in 5 k and 10 k races in recreational runners.