PEAK PERFORMANCE IS NOW...
What the latest research says about your lactate threshold and lactate training When I wrote the book Lactate Lift-Off in 1998, research concerning lactate production and utilization during exercise was really beginning to take off in an exciting way. One of the key thrusts of the new research was that lactate threshold, i.e., the exercise... MORE
Since I first started attaching a fairly specific intensity to lactate-threshold workouts about 10 years ago, the whole idea of threshold training seems to have gained in popularity ‘Tempo runs’ and ‘cruise intervals’ are two types of workouts that fit the threshold description, because both are run at about lactate-threshold pace. Tempo runs have actually... MORE
Different physiological systems determine performance under different conditions The theory that exercise fatigue sets in when the muscles’ demand for oxygen exceeds what the heart can supply is popular and persuasive. Yet there are powerful arguments against it and other equally valid physiological ‘models’ to explain the fatigue process. In this abridged version of a... MORE
Will women ever outpace men? Will females ever outpace males in running events? Time and again this question has led to fierce debate within the lay and scientific community (1-6). Performance differentials between men and women are most commonly attributed to such issues as body size and composition, with men tending to be larger than... MORE
New vVO2max workouts lead to impressive gains in fitness Veronique Billat is at it again. The French scientist who brought that proud old physiological variable VO2max to its knees, replacing it with the much more valuable and predictive vVO2max, and who was the first scientist to show endurance athletes exactly how to optimize vVO2max, has... MORE
in Base endurance training, Training structure and planning
Training for an ultra-distance event is not for the faint hearted, since weekly totals of 75-135 miles are common. The event itself is extremely demanding and, with apologies to Nike, you can’t ‘just do it’! In fact, you should have at least two marathons under your belt before you even start to think about... MORE
The best exercise machines to improve your fitness At this time of year, athletes who are interested in alternative forms of training (ie cross training) often wonder which exercise device is ‘best’. Essentially, they want to know whether cross-country ski machines, rowing devices, stair machines, stationary bicycles or treadmills provide the most beneficial workout when... MORE
When supplementation with oxygen really helps performance In the last issue of this newsletter, I effectively demolished the idea that oxygen supplementation before or after exertion might be beneficial to athletes. As I pointed out, taking in extra O2 might theoretically be helpful just before a competitive effort, except that athletes would have to hold... MORE
Why endurance athletes cannot afford to ignore the vital contribution of fast-twitch muscle fibres In last month’s issue, I offered the lowdown on maximising fast-twitch muscle fibre potential for speed and power (PP201, August 2004). This article focuses on getting the most out of muscle fibre for endurance activity. Biopsies are used to determine what... MORE
Distance running training – How The dominance of distance running by East Africans is a well-established phenomenon. The current IAAF world ranking points system in the 5,000 and 10,000m categories features no fewer than 17 Ethiopian and Kenyan runners in the top 20 ranked athletes. There has been much speculation by coaches and pundits about... MORE
The latest triathlon research and best practice findings, covering improving technique, strength and conditioning, and endurance nutrition
The latest findings from running science with practical advice showing you how you can run further and faster whilst staying in peak health
