How does VO 2 evolve during the 800m ?

International audienceThe purpose of this experiment was to examine the evolution of the ventilatory parameters during 800 meters when 800 meters are realized according to the competition model: fast departure and drop in the speed in the final 100 meters. To date, concerning supramaximal exercises only studies realized in constant power had been proposed. Our results indicate that, regarding VO2, the 800m can be described by 3 different phases: 1) during the first 315 metres, VO2 increases gradually to reach VO2 max, 2) during the 215m which follow or until the 530m, VO2 max is maintained, and finally 3) during the last 270 m, VO2 decreases gradually to reach 80 % of VO2max at the end of running. It thus seems that the fact of leaving fasterthan the average speed of running allows to reach VO2max and it more quickly. It also seems that at the same time as the fall of the speed, one can observe VO2's fall at the end of the running