Which benchmark has the highest correlation to training for distance running events?

The benchmark with the highest correlation to training for distance running events is the maximum lactate steady state (MLSS). This measurement indicates the intensity at which a runner can maintain a steady state of effort without a significant rise in blood lactate levels.

Understanding MLSS is crucial for distance runners because it directly relates to the ability to sustain hard efforts over longer periods. Training at or near this level allows runners to increase their endurance and performance by improving their body's efficiency in utilizing oxygen and metabolizing lactate. It helps identify the optimal training intensities that can enhance performance specifically for prolonged endurance events.

In contrast, while other benchmarks like lactate threshold and maximum aerobic heart rate are important in training and can provide insights into a runner's capabilities, they may not correlate as closely to sustained performance in distance events as MLSS. Lactate threshold indicates the point at which lactate starts accumulating but does not define the sustainable intensity. Maximum aerobic heart rate is a measure of a physiological limit but does not account for the runner's ability to perform over time. Therefore, MLSS is particularly valuable as it encapsulates both the physiological and practical aspects of distance running performance.