Preview
Hüseyin Akbulut, MSc (2026). Maximal Anaerobic Running Test (MART) — Protocol, Norms and Application. Sporeus. Retrieved, October 9, 2026. https://sporeus.com/en/egzersiz-testleri-en/maximal-anaerobic-running-test-mart/
Measures: Anaerobic work capacity, glycolytic exercise capacity
Table of Contents
Difficulty: Very hard | Category: Anaerobic
Protocol
The Maximal Anaerobic Running Test (MART), developed by Rusko et al., is a laboratory test measuring anaerobic work capacity through progressively increasing sprint intensity on a treadmill.
Preparation: A high-speed treadmill (>25 km/h) is required. Participant body weight is recorded. Blood lactate meter and heart rate monitor are prepared. 10-minute warm-up: 5 minutes easy running, 5 minutes moderate intensity.
Protocol: Each trial consists of 20 seconds of sprint + 100 seconds of passive rest (1:5 work:rest ratio). Starting speed is 3.0 m/s for men and 2.5 m/s for women. Speed increases by 0.5 m/s each sprint set. The test continues until the participant cannot sustain the required speed for 20 seconds.
Data Recording: Blood lactate (every 2 sets), heart rate, and last completed speed are recorded at each sprint set. The lactate-power relationship is plotted.
Calculation: Maximum anaerobic running speed (VMART) = speed of last successfully completed sprint (m/s). Anaerobic capacity = sum of all sprint workloads (joules). This value is correlated with the lactate response curve.
Post-Test: 10 minutes of active cool-down is performed. Blood lactate is measured again at 5 and 10 minutes. Results are reported for training intensity zones and anaerobic capacity assessment.
Formula
VMART (m/s) = speed of the last completed sprint; anaerobic capacity (J) = Σ(F × distance) over all sprints
Equipment Required
treadmill (high-speed capable), heart rate monitor, blood lactate analyser
Normative Values (Age: elite sprinters and team-sport athletes)
| Classification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | VMART >7.0 m/s | VMART >6.0 m/s |
| Good | VMART 6.0-7.0 m/s | VMART 5.0-6.0 m/s |
| Average | VMART 5.0-6.0 m/s | VMART 4.0-5.0 m/s |
| Below Average | VMART 4.0-5.0 m/s | VMART 3.0-4.0 m/s |
| Poor | VMART <4.0 m/s | VMART <3.0 m/s |
Practical Applications
MART is used in anaerobic capacity assessment and individualized anaerobic training intensity determination in elite endurance and power athletes.
Limitations
Requires a high-speed treadmill. Blood lactate measurement is cumbersome and requires technical knowledge. Cannot be applied to large populations.
Related Tests: Wingate Test, Lactate Threshold Test, Blood Lactate Step Test
Sources: Rusko H et al., 1993, Int J Sports Med; Nummela A et al., 1996, Int J Sports Med
Hüseyin Akbulut is the founder of Sporeus and author of THRESHOLD (EŞİK), a 540-page Turkish-language book on endurance science.
- 540pp THRESHOLD Book
- MSc Sport Sciences
- Marmara University
Protocol The Maximal Anaerobic Running Test (MART), developed by Rusko et al., is a laboratory test measuring anaerobic work capacity through progressively increasing sprint intensity on a treadmill. Preparation: A high-speed treadmill (>25 km/h) is required. Participant body weight is recorded. Blood lactate meter and heart rate monitor are prepared. 10-minute warm-up: 5 minutes easy running, 5 minutes moderate intensity. Protocol: Each trial consists of 20 seconds of sprint + 100 seconds of passive rest (1:5 work:rest ratio). Starting speed is 3.0 m/s for men and 2.5 m/s for women. Speed increases by 0.5 m/s each sprint set. The test continues until the participant cannot sustain the required speed for 20 seconds. Data Recording: Blood lactate (every 2 sets), heart rate, and last completed speed are recorded at each sprint set. The lactate-power relationship is plotted. Calculation: Maximum anaerobic running speed (VMART) = speed of last successfully completed sprint (m/s). Anaerobic capacity = sum of all sprint workloads (joules). This value is correlated with the lactate response curve. Post-Test: 10 minutes of active cool-down is performed. Blood lactate is measured again at 5 and 10 minutes. Results are reported for training intensity zones and anaerobic capacity assessment. Formula
VMART (m/s) = speed of the last completed sprint; anaerobic capacity (J) = Σ(F × distance) over all sprints
Equipment Required
treadmill (high-speed capable), heart rate monitor, blood lactate analyser
