Training for a (half-)marathon: Training volume and longest endurance run related to performance and running injuries.

Tryntsje Fokkema,Maarten W.J Fornerod,Ankie A.D.N Van Damme,Marienke Van Middelkoop,Robert‐Jan De Vos,Sita M.A Bierma‐Zeinstra

doi:10.1111/sms.13725

Tryntsje Fokkema, Maarten W.J Fornerod + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13725

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Abstract

ObjectiveExamine the associations of training volume and longest endurance run with (half‐)marathon performance and running‐related injuries (RRIs) in recreational runners.Materials and MethodsDuring the preparation for and directly after the running event, 556 participants of a half marathon and 441 participants of a marathon completed three questionnaires on RRIs, average weekly training volume and the longest endurance run. With finish time, decline in pace during the running event and RRIs as dependent variables, linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations with weekly training volume and the longest endurance run.ResultsIn half‐marathon runners, a high training volume (>32 km/wk) (β −4.19, 95% CI: −6.52;−1.85) and a long endurance run (>21 km) (β −3.87, 95% CI: −6.31;‐−1.44) were associated with a faster finish time, while a high training volume (β −1.81, 95% CI: −3.49;−0.12) and a long endurance run (β −1.89, 95% CI: −3.65;−0.12) were also related to less decline in pace. In marathon runners, a low training volume (<40 km/wk) was related to a slower finish time (β 6.33, 95% CI: 0.18;12.48) and a high training volume (>65 km/wk) to a faster finish time (β −14.09, 95% CI: −22.47;−5.72), while a longest endurance run of <25 km was associated with a slower finish time (β 13.44, 95% CI: 5.34;21.55). No associations between training characteristics and RRIs were identified.ConclusionsPreparation for a (half‐)marathon with a relatively high training volume and long endurance runs associates with a faster finish time, but does not seem related to an increased injury risk.

Highlights

Over the last few decades, long-distance running grew in popularity, with more athletes participating in running events like marathons and half marathons.[1,2] For example, 15 450 athletes ran the Dutch Rotterdam Marathon in 2017, compared with only 200 in 1981
A high training volume is associated with a higher risk of running-related injuries (RRIs).[5]
The runners that were included in the analyses were on average older (42.2 [SD 11.7] vs 39.5 [SD 10.7] years, P < .01), had a lower Body mass index (BMI) (23.1 [SD 2.4] vs 23.6 [SD 2.6] kg/m2, P < .01), longer experience with running (7.8 [SD 8.3] vs 6.8 [SD 7.3] years, P = .02), and were more often member of an athletic association (36.5% vs 27.7%, P < .01) than the runners that were excluded from the analyses

Summary

Introduction

Over the last few decades, long-distance running grew in popularity, with more athletes participating in running events like marathons and half marathons.[1,2] For example, 15 450 athletes ran the Dutch Rotterdam Marathon in 2017, compared with only 200 in 1981. Training for a (half-)marathon involves a high training volume and long endurance runs. This way of training seems beneficial for (half-)marathon performance, since a high training volume. . |2 is, together with a high training pace, related to a better marathon performance time.[3,4] a high training volume is associated with a higher risk of running-related injuries (RRIs).[5] Running more than 65 km/wk for men and between 48 and 63 km for women was found to be related to a higher risk of RRIs in recreational runners.[5] It has been suggested that injuries may be prevented by reducing the training volume.[6,7]

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