Health Education/Training‘97 AF Marathon Run Times Compared to Actual Fitness Scores and AF Fitness Standards

Finish Time (hours : minutes)

90

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

ɛ:30

ɜ:00

ɜ:30

ɝ:00

ɝ:30

ɞ:00

ɟ:15

Est VO2 Max (mlO2/kg/min)

N=144

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• In a study of 144 runners who finished the 1997 USAF marathon from WPAFB who had a bike test in 1997, every single one passed the bike test. This included those that sliced through the course in less than 3 hours up to the last finisher who limped in at 7 hours and 15 minutes. Notice the average bike scores according to time finished. The elite runners achieved elite bike scores and those scores on average dropped as finished times became longer.

• In the past, pessimists have said that runners cannot pass the bike test. However, runners do very well. Running develops an excellent aerobic capacity. The extent of this development is based on frequency, duration, and intensity of their programs and genetic endowment.
  • In 9 years as an exercise physiologist at WPAFB, Dr Schlub has found GOOD runners score very well on this test 99 percent of the time and excellent runners 99.9percent of the time. He has never had an elite runner that does not simply blow it out of the water!