Strength and anaerobic responses of elite young female sprint and distance runners.

The purpose of this study was to assess the strength and anaerobic responses of elite young female runners, in order to determine the relationship of these characteristics to age and high proficiency in sprint events. Thirty-one national junior-level sprint and middle distance runners were evaluated for isokinetic peak torque for leg extension at velocities ranging for 30 degrees to 300 degrees X s-1, anaerobic power and capacity based on the Wingate test, and body composition based on underwater weighing. Age-related and event-related differences were noted for both the peak torque and anaerobic response measures. Peak torques were greater for the older (greater than 11.67 yr) runners and greater for the sprinters when measured at the higher testing velocities. Anaerobic power and capacity were also greater for the older runners, but event-related differences only appeared when anaerobic power was adjusted for fat-free weight (adjusted anaerobic power was greater in the older sprinters). These results indicate that both age and fat-free weight influence strength and anaerobic responses in young female runners and that exceptional levels of such characteristics only appear for sprinters within the upper age groups of youth competition.