Who Is Running in the D-A-CH Countries? An Epidemiological Approach of 2455 Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Recreational Runners-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1).

Katharina Wirnitzer,Beat Knechtle,Claus Leitzmann,Mohamad Motevalli,Renato Pichler,Derrick Tanous,Gerold Wirnitzer,Thomas Rosemann

doi:10.3390/nu14030677

Abstract

Accompanied by the growing popularity of distance running, the prevalence of vegan and vegetarian diets in endurance runners has increased across the globe and especially in German-speaking (D-A-CH: Germany, Austria, Switzerland) countries. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the epidemiological characteristics associated with diet types and running behaviors of recreational endurance runners. From a total number of 7422 runners who started to fill in the online survey, 3835 runners completed the questionnaire. After data clearance, 2455 distance runners (mean age: 37 years; 56% females, 44% males) were selected as the final sample and classified as 1162 omnivores (47.4%), 529 vegetarians (21.5%), and 764 vegans (31.1%). Sociodemographic information and general characteristics in training and competition were evaluated using a questionnaire-based approach. A significant association was found between diet type and race distance (p < 0.001). In females, vegan ultra-marathoners and omnivorous half-marathoners had better individual running records among dietary groups. Sex differences in running performance had a minimizing trend with increasing race distance. Most runners reported independent race preparation (90%) over less than four months (73%). From an epidemiological viewpoint, the present findings suggest a central role of plant-based diets in running performance and behaviors among active distance runners in D-A-CH countries and that vegetarian and vegan diets are compatible with competitive running.

Highlights

IntroductionAs one of the most popular physical activities, recreational running is an affordable and influential health-promoting approach at all ages [1]
Since scientific data about endurance athletes adhering to plant-based diets are limSince scientific data about endurance athletes adhering to plant-based diets are limited, ited, the Nutrition and Running High Mileage (NURMI) Study was designed to investhe NURMI Study was designed to investigate a tigate a large number of participants with a valid data set in order to identify distinctions large number of participants with a valid data set in order to identify distinctions between between dietary subgroups of recreational endurance runners
In addition to the prevalence of 52.6% vegetarian/vegan and 47.4% omnivore runners at the start of events as well as discovering epidemiological findings associated with diet type and running parameters of recreational distance runners in D-A-CH countries, it was found that with increasing the race distance, there is a growing trend in the prevalence of vegan/vegetarian diet and simultaneously a decreasing trend in the sex-specific differences in runners’ records

Summary

Introduction

As one of the most popular physical activities, recreational running is an affordable and influential health-promoting approach at all ages [1]. This low-intensity, high-duration activity is performed over various distances but mainly from 5 km to ultra-marathon, including 100-km runs [2]. It has been reported that the major motives to participate in distance running events include personal achievement, health promotion, weight control, 4.0/). As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, data indicate that runner motivation has partially shifted from competition and socialization towards fitness, recovery, and stress relief [5]. Runner motivation may vary based on race distance, as longer-distance runs (e.g., marathon and ultra-marathon) are known to be more demanding and may lead to multiple physical and physiological challenges [6,7]

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Discussion

Conclusion