Energy systems for 400m dash

[James_Smith]

@kitkat1

Now, a couple of other thoughts:

1. the “borderline” from aerobic to anaerobic will continue to move for better or worse according to the volume, intensity, density and frequency of training.

Agreed.

@kitkat1

2. what is the relevance of 400m-event specific activity to contributing to raising the anaerobic/aerobic threshhold? Do we get better 400m results or worse from training occasionally or frequently at 400m race pace?

Event specific activity, to me, can mean a lot of things.

If we are strictly considering the biodynamic/bioenergetic character of the 400m then event specific training could range from training any particular phase of the race itself.

thus, the anaerobic threshold, for instance, wouldn’t be anywhere near as much a factor if the training aim was pure speed development in comparison to what it would be if the training aim was targeted towards the middle to last half of the race.

Regarding training at 400m race pace, in my view, the place for this is entirely a function of the coaches methodological approach to programming the training. Hence your point #3

@kitkat1

3. how is any/all of this wisdom to be practically applied in order to help the 400m runner get faster? What is the optimal programme model: L2S, S2L, S+L (concurrent)?:eek:

I think we’d all agree that the optimal model will vary from athlete to athlete thus every model deserves its own discussion-something that’s beyond my current motivation level to initiate.