Abstract
Improved performance has been reported for master runners (i.e. athletes older than 40 years) in both single marathons and single ultra-marathons. This study investigated performance trends of age group ultra-marathoners competing in all 100 km and 100 miles races held worldwide between 1971 and 2013. Changes in running speeds across years were investigated for the annual ten fastest 5-year age group finishers using linear, non-linear and multi-level regression analyses. In 100 km, running speed remained unchanged in women in 25–29 years, increased non-linearly in 30–34 to 55–59 years, and linearly in 60–64 years. In men, running speed increased non-linearly in 18–24 to 60–64 years and linearly in 65–69 to 75–79 years. In 100 miles, running speed increased in women linearly in 25–29 and 30–34 years, non-linearly in 35–39 to 45–49 years, and linearly in 50–54 and 55–59 years. For men, running speed increased linearly in 18–24 years, non-linearly in 25–29 to 45–49 years, and linearly in 50–54 to 65–69 years. Overall, the faster race times over the last 30 years are a result of all top ten finishers getting faster. These findings suggest that athletes in younger to middle age groups (i.e. 25–35 to 50–65 years depending upon sex and distance) have reached their limits due to a non-linear increase in running speed whereas runners in very young (i.e. younger than 25–35 years) and older age groups (i.e. older than 50–65 years) depending upon sex and distance might still improve their performance due to a linear increase in running speed.
Highlights
(2012) showed that the participation of master runners increased to a greater extent for women than for men during the 1980–2009 period at the ‘New York City Marathon’
Women aged 40–69 years showed a significant decrease in marathon race times with the greatest time improvements (i.e. 3.79 min/year) in runners in age group 60–69 years
This study found that athletes in younger to middle age groups (i.e. 25–35 to 50–65 years) depending upon sex and race distance seemed to have reached their limits due to a non-linear increase in running speed whereas runners in older age groups depending upon sex and race distance might still improve their performance due to a linear increase in running speed
Summary
An increase in the number of master runners (i.e. runners older than 35 years) has been reported for longer running distances such as marathons (Jokl et al 2004; Lepers and Cattagni 2012) and ultra-marathons (Hoffman 2010; Hoffman et al 2010a; Hoffman and Wegelin 2009; Knechtle et al 2012b; Rüst et al 2013; Zingg et al 2014). In marathon running, Jokl et al (2004) reported for the ‘New York City Marathon’ between 1983 and 1999 a greater increase in the number of master participants older than 50 years than younger runners. Lepers and Cattagni (2012) showed that the participation of master runners increased to a greater extent for women than for men during the 1980–2009 period at the ‘New York City Marathon’. Marathon race times of the fastest master runners at the ‘New York City Marathon’ decreased significantly in men > 64 years and in women > 44 years (Lepers and Cattagni 2012). Jokl et al (2004) reported that master runners at the ‘New York City Marathon’ improved marathon race times to a greater extent compared to younger runners. Improvements were highest in runners in age group 70–79 years (i.e. 1.9 min/year), followed by runners in age group 60–69 years (i.e. 1.23 min/year) and runners in age group 50–59 years (i.e. 0.13 min/year)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
