Field measurements of oxygen uptake in elite orienteers during cross-country running using telemetry

Oxygen uptake (V_o2) was measured and economy calculated during running on a treadmill and during cross-country running in 14 male and 9 female orienteers using a telemetric system (K-2, Cosmed, Italy). The cross-country route comprised 3 parts: horizontal path running, horizontal running in light terrain and running in heavy terrain with obstacles and steep hills. Each subject accomplished the whole test route at a speed corresponding to 96±5% of maximal speed and at maximal speed. The running time at maximal speed was 19±3 min. The running economy was similar in treadmill and path running (211 ± 10 vs 210± 14 ml · kg⁻¹· km⁻¹), but V_o2 per km increased in light and heavy terrain to 290 ± 16 and 362±18 ml · kg⁻¹· km⁻¹, respectively. There was no difference in running economy between men and women. The elite group (5 men and 3 women) demonstrated 5% better running economy than the sub-elite (9 men and 6 women) during running in light and heavy terrain, whereas no difference was seen during treadmill and path running. In conclusion, elite orienteers have better running economy in light and heavy terrain than sub-elite orienteers.