Abstract
Background and Objectives: Increases in the number of participants in time-limited ultra-marathons have been reported. However, no information is available regarding the trends in participation, performance and age in 12 h and 24 h time-limited events. The aim of the study was to describe the trends in runners’ participation, performance and age in 12 h and 24 h ultra-marathons for both sexes and to identify the age of peak performance, taking into account the ranking position and age categories. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 210,455 runners in time-limited ultra-marathons (female 12 h = 23,706; female 24 h = 28,585; male 12 h = 61,594; male 24 h = 96,570) competing between 1876 and 2020 and aged 18 to 86 years. The age of peak performance was tested according to their ranking position (first–third; fourth–tenth and >tenth position) and taking into account their running speed in different age categories (<30 years; 31–40 years; 41–50 years; 51–60 years; >60 years), using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by the Bonferroni adjustment. Results: An increase in the number of participants and a decrease in running speed were observed across the years. For both events, the sex differences in performance decreased over time. The sex differences showed that male runners performed better than female runners, but the lowest differences in recent years were observed in the 24 h ultra-marathons. A positive trend in age across the years was found with an increase in mean age (“before 1989” = 40.33 ± 10.07 years; “1990–1999” = 44.16 ± 10.37 years; “2000–2009” = 45.99 ± 10.33 years; “2010–2020” = 45.62 ± 10.80 years). Male runners in 24 h races were the oldest (46.13 ± 10.83 years), while female runners in 12 h races were the youngest (43.46 ± 10.16 years). Athletes ranked first–third position were the youngest (female 12 h = 41.19 ± 8.87 years; female 24 h = 42.19 ± 8.50 years; male 12 h = 42.03 ± 9.40 years; male 24 h = 43.55 ± 9.03 years). When age categories were considered, the best performance was found for athletes aged between 41 and 50 years (female 12 h 6.48 ± 1.74 km/h; female 24 h 5.64 ± 1.68 km/h; male 12 h 7.19 ± 1.90 km/h; male 24 h 6.03 ± 1.78 km/h). Conclusion: A positive trend in participation in 12 h and 24 h ultra-marathons was shown across the years; however, athletes were becoming slower and older. The fastest athletes were the youngest ones, but when age intervals were considered, the age of peak performance was between 41 and 50 years.
Highlights
Ultra-marathon races are running events where distances are longer than the traditional marathons and can be distance-(50 km, 100 km, 50 miles and 100 miles ultramarathons) or time-limited (e.g., 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h) [1]
Cruonnnsinidgesrpienegd twhaesffiorustndanfodr tmhaelelaastthlyeeteasrinofthpea1r2tihciepvaetniotsn(,−t4h.e65hkimgh/ehs)t, wdhififlerence in runnthienlgowspeesteddifwfearesnfcoeuwnads ofobrsemrvaeldefaotrhmleatleesatihnletthees i1n2thhee2v4ehntesve(−n4ts.6(−5 1k.m37/khm),/wh)h. iSleexthe low est ddiiffffeerreennccees iwn apserofobrsmearvnceedafroerpmresaelneteadthinleFteigsuirne t3h. eFo2r4bohtheveevnentsts(, −se1x.3d7ifkfemre/nhc)e.sSienx differ encepserifnorpmearnfocermdeacnrecaeseadreovperretsiemnet.eIdn ignenFeirgaul,rme a3l.eFrounr nbeortshpeervfoernmtse,dsebxettdeirffthearennfecmesailen perfor runners, but the lowest differences in recent years were observed for 24 h ultra-marathons, manwcheedreefcermeaalseerdunonveersr pteimrfoer.mInedgbeentteerrathl,amn tahleeirrmunalneepreserpseinrftohrrmeeeydeabrset(1te9r86t,h2a0n03faenmdale run ners2,0b06u)t
On the other hand, during the first years, the highest sex differences in perfor mance were observed among athletes in the 24 h ultra-marathons, favoring male run ners
Summary
Ultra-marathon races are running events where distances are longer than the traditional marathons and can be distance-(50 km, 100 km, 50 miles and 100 miles ultramarathons) or time-limited (e.g., 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h) [1]. A recent study investigated 369,969 men and 69,668 women competing between 1960 and 2019 in 100 km ultra-marathon races, showing a positive trend in athlete participation during the studied time [5]. The aim of the study was to describe the trends in runners’ participation, performance and age in 12 h and 24 h ultra-marathons for both sexes and to identify the age of peak performance, taking into account the ranking position and age categories. Results: An increase in the number of participants and a decrease in running speed were observed across the years For both events, the sex differences in performance decreased over time. The sex differences showed that male runners performed better than female runners, but the lowest differences in recent years were observed in the 24 h ultra-marathons. The fastest athletes were the youngest ones, but when age intervals were considered, the age of peak performance was between 41 and 50 years
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.
