Glace, B. W., Murphy, C. A., Kremenic, I. J., & McHugh, M. P. (2002). Running economy of elite and non-elite runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 137.

Ss (M = 30; F = 12) who varied widely in performance and aerobic capacity were tested. Elite Ss were determined on the basis of performance for 5 km running speed.

Elite athletes were markedly higher in VO2max than in non-elites. Elite men used 6% less oxygen than non-elite men and women. Elite women had economies similar to non-elite men and did not differ to non-elite women. Running economy was correlated to running performance in men but not in women.

Implication. Running economy is an important factor for achieving excellence in men, and could be a source of improvement in women because at present, it is not a discriminating factor.

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