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Maximal Anaerobic Running Test (MART) — Protocol, Norms and Application

Maximal Anaerobic Running Test (MART) — Protocol, Norms and Application

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(2026). Maximal Anaerobic Running Test (MART) — Protocol, Norms and Application. Sporeus. Retrieved, September 25, 2026. https://sporeus.com/en/egzersiz-testleri-en/maximal-anaerobic-running-test-mart/

1 min read

Measures: Anaerobik iş kapasitesi, glikoliz egzersiz kapasitesi

Table of Contents
  1. Protocol
  2. Formula
  3. Equipment Required
  4. Normative Values (Age: Elit sprinterlər ve takım sporcuları)
  5. Practical Applications
  6. Limitations

Difficulty: Cok-zor  |  Category: Anaerobik

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) = son tamamlanan sprint hızı; anaerobik kapasite (J) = Σ(F × mesafe) her sprint için

Equipment Required

koşu bandı (yüksek hız kapasiteli), kalp atım hızı monitörü, kan laktat ölçer

Normative Values (Age: Elit sprinterlər ve takım sporcuları)

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

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Key Facts
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) = son tamamlanan sprint hızı; anaerobik kapasite (J) = Σ(F × mesafe) her sprint için

Equipment Required

koşu bandı (yüksek hız kapasiteli), kalp atım hızı monitörü, kan laktat ölçer

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Hüseyin Akbulut
WRITTEN BY
Hüseyin Akbulut, MSc

Hüseyin Akbulut is the founder of Sporeus and author of THRESHOLD (EŞİK), a 540-page Turkish-language book on endurance science. He holds a Master's degree in Sport Sciences and writes for…