User:Mad runnerist/running economy article draft

Running economy consists of many physiological and biomechanical factors that contribute to running performance, and is measured to quantify energy utilization in the human body while running at an aerobic intensity. Oxygen consumption (VO2) is the most direct method for measuring running economy, as the exchange of gases in the body, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, closely reflects metabolism. To allow for comparison between people of various sizes, values that are relative to body mass are traditionally used. However, applications of this practice have proven misleading due to the low correlation between sub-maximal VO2 and body mass.

Among two other values (VO2max & Lactate threshold), some experts consider running economy to be a valid indicator of performance in distance running events.