Epperson, C. E., Buono, M. J., Kolkhorst, F. W., Reynolds, K. K., Nanista, J. A., & Sheffield, R. D. (1999). Correlation of lactate threshold, VO2max, and running performance with 4.8 kilometer running performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 370.

Female (N = 15) cross country runners were tested for lactate threshold, VO2max, and running economy, each being correlated with a time-trial time over 4.8 km. It was found that lactate threshold (r = .89), and VO2max (r = .66) were related to running time.

Implication. Lactate threshold was the best single predictor of running a distance of 4.8 km.

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