Endurance Running Events Research Articles

Changes in running endurance performance following intermittent altitude exposure simulated with tents

The effect of intermittent hypoxia on sea-level endurance performance was assessed by using hypoxic tents to simulate the live high-train low approach to altitude training. Eleven male sub-elite competitive runners and triathletes participated in a crossover study of usual training (control) and usual training with altitude exposure (altitude). Altitude treatment consisted of 25±3 d (mean±SD) of sleeping in tents for 8.1±0.6 h.d−1, progressing from a simulated altitude of 2500 m to 3500 m above sea level. Washout period between control and altitude treatments was 4 wk. Three treadmill runs to exhaustion lasting ∼2, ∼4 and ∼8 min were completed 7 and 12 d after control and altitude treatments. Times for standard competition distances (800, 1500 and 3000 m), were predicted using a log-log model, improved by 1.0% (90% confidence limits, ±1.3%), 1.4% (±1.2%) and 1.9% (±1.5%), respectively. Improvements were greater in the six athletes with an I allele for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE): 2.3% (±1.5%), 2.2% (±1.5%), and 2.1%, (±2.1%), respectively. Effects of simulated altitude on hemoglobin concentration were unclear. Altitude exposure simulated with hypoxic tents is likely to enhance performance substantially in middle-distance endurance running events, especially for individuals with an I allele of the ACE gene.

Age-related decrements in cycling and running performance

Objective. This study examined age-related decrements in athletic performance during running and cycling activities. Design. The age group winning times for males aged between 18 and 70 years competing in the 1999 Argus cycle tour (103 km) and 1999 Comrades running marathon (90 km), South Africa's premier endurance cycling and running events respectively, were examined. Main outcome measures. The relationship between speed (cycling and running respectively) and age was calculated using a 4th order polynomial function. The derivative of each of these functions was determined and then the slope of the function corresponding to each age was calculated. Results. The rate of decline in running speed occurred at an earlier age (~ 32 years) during the running race compared with the cycling tour (~ 55 years). Conclusions. These findings establish a trend that there is ‘accelerated' aging during running which can perhaps be attributed to the increased weight-bearing stress on the muscles during running compared with cycling. SA Sports Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 8-11

Age-related decrements in cycling and running performance

Objective. This study examined age-related decrements in athletic performance during running and cycling activities. Design. The age group winning times for males aged between 18 and 70 years competing in the 1999 Argus cycle tour (103 km) and 1999 Comrades running marathon (90 km), South Africa's premier endurance cycling and running events respectively, were examined. Main outcome measures. The relationship between speed (cycling and running respectively) and age was calculated using a 4th order polynomial function. The derivative of each of these functions was determined and then the slope of the function corresponding to each age was calculated. Results. The rate of decline in running speed occurred at an earlier age (~ 32 years) during the running race compared with the cycling tour (~ 55 years). Conclusions. These findings establish a trend that there is ‘accelerated' aging during running which can perhaps be attributed to the increased weight-bearing stress on the muscles during running compared with cycling. SA Sports Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 8-11

Environmental factors in the summer Olympics in historical perspective

A descriptive approach is adopted in reviewing the probable impact of environmental factors during the summer Olympic Games since their inception in 1896. A historical analytical perspective is impractical due to the lack of reliable climatic data for the earlier Games and the evolution of a myriad of factors that impinge on competitive performance at elite level. Nevertheless, the endurance running events, particularly the marathon, are considered in detail with respect to exposure to environmental forces. Heat, humidity, air pollution, altitude and the geographical features of the race course are considered selectively and dealt with in order of chronology and global climatic zones. We focus on diverse climate zones and particular environmental conditions in order to scrutinize their likely influences on competitive performance, especially in the Olympic marathon races. Notwithstanding the limitations of a narrative approach, performances are related to particular weather data and mitigating influences. Travel difficulties are addressed where these affected a majority of competitors. Environmental stress was associated with the ill-timing and poor organization of the earlier Games. While many of these detrimental and injurious features have been alleviated since then, other environmental stress factors are less prone to mitigation and thus remain a sometimes severe challenge to endurance races. The unique environment conditions for outdoor endurance races in temperate climate zones tend to be highly variable and therefore difficult to predict.

Percentage Decline in Masters Superathlete Track and Field Performance With Aging

Masters athletic records in track and field events, published in September 1999, were analyzed to evaluate the percentage decline in maximum physiological performance with increasing age. Records were normalized using the 30s age records as the baseline and studied through to the 90s age range. Track running records declined with age in a curvilinear fashion [ y = 1 - exp ((T-T 0 )/ )] whereas the walking and field events declined in a linear manner [ y = f (T-T ' 0 )]. There were significant differences in the rates of percentage decline in the running events over various distances for both males and females, and significant differences between males and females. Decline with aging was greater for females, and for the longer or endurance running events. There were no differences in the rates of declining function for any of the walking events, and the only jumping event to show a significant difference was the high jump performance, which showed the slowest decline. The walking events declined more slowly than the running events, which declined more slowly than the jumping events. Because of the changes in the weights, heights, and distances at different ages, for both males and females, it was not possible to directly compare rates of decline in the various throwing and hurdling events. The strength-dependent throwing events and the pole vault showed the greatest rates of decline with age. In general terms, men's performance declined to 75% of peak performance in sprint events by the early 70s, in the longer track distances by mid to late 60s, and in field events by mid to late 50s. Women's performance declined to a similar extent by their mid 60s in track events, and by late 40s to early 50s in field events. Some of these differences may be due to differences in training effort and/or other competitive aspects, such as the numbers of athletes involved in the sport, and such differences may be reduced in the future with a more professional approach to these events.

Differences between the sexes and age-related changes in orienteering speed

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the age and sex of the competitor on orienteering speed during competitive events. The results of the fastest three male and fastest three female competitors in each 5-year age band (21-79 years), from four national orienteering events, were analysed. The data for age and orienteering speed were log-transformed and regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between age and sex and orienteering speed. For comparison, data for the fastest Great Britain finisher in the 10,000-m track and 10-km cross-country events for age groups 40-69 years at the World Masters Championships were also analysed. The results showed that, before the age of 40 years, there was no substantial slowing in orienteering speed for males (0.5-4.2% per decade) but a moderate decline (4.7-10.0% per decade) for females. After the age of 45 years, the orienteering speed of males and females slowed by 13 - 2% and 16 - 4% per decade (mean - s ), respectively, until around the age of 69, after which the deterioration was accentuated. The orienteering speed of the females was 81 - 4, 74 - 6 and 69 - 7% that of the males at ages 21, 45 and 65 years, respectively. The magnitudes of the age-related slowing of orienteering speed and of the difference in orienteering speed between males and females aged 45 years and over were greater than those reported for the other endurance running events. This may reflect the physical demands of running in orienteering terrain, tactical and cognitive aspects of the sport, or sociocultural aspects of the participating population.

The Relationship between Age and Optimal Performance of Elite Athletes in Endurance Running Events

Abstract Numerous investigators (Bottiger, 1971, 1973; Hartley & Hartley, 1984; Moore, 1975; Stones & Kozma, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986) have shown in cross-sectional studies that performance in endurance events peaks in the late twenties or early thirties for both men and women and then deteriorates gradually. The analyses presented in the literature primarily used world or national best times to study the relationships among performances across different distances within certain sports as well as to assess the similarity in such relationships across sports. Mention was made of using these data to assess the limits of human performance at various ages, but such applications were not found. Also, it has been implied in the literature that a study of record performances might supply otherwise unavailable data to those investigating the effects of age on performance. Ideally, longtitudinal data would be used, but appropriate data on elite runners who maintain equivalent training and desire over the years and ar...

Hyponatremia in a Marathoner.

In brief: Hyponatremia is known to occur in athletes competing in endurance running events greater than marathon distances; it has also stricken participants in the Ironman Triathalon. This article describes a case of hyponatremia associated with altered mental status, increased intracranial pressure, and pulmonary edema in a 21-year-old man who had completed his first marathon. Salt loss from sweat and retention of hypotonic fluids are the most likely causes. This is the first reported case of this syndrome occurring at a marathon distance.

The influence of weekly training distance on fractional utilization of maximum aerobic capacity in marathon and ultramarathon runners.

This study was designed to examine the interrelationships between performance in endurance running events from 10 to 90 km, training volume 3-5 weeks prior to competition, and the fractional utilization of maximal aerobic capacity (%VO2max) during each of the events. Thirty male subjects underwent horizontal treadmill testing to determine their VO2max, and steady-state VO2 at specific speeds to allow for calculation of %VO2max sustained during competition. Runners were divided into groups of ten according to their weekly training distance (group A trained less than 60 km X week-1, group B 60 to 100 km X week-1, and group C more than 100 km X week-1). Runners training more than 100 km X week-1 had significantly faster running times (average 19.2%) in all events than did those training less than 100 km X week-1. VO2max or %VO2max sustained during competition was not different between groups. The faster running speed of the more trained runners, running at the same %VO2max during competition, was due to their superior running economy (19.9%). Thus all of the group differences in running performance could be explained on the basis of their differences in running economy. These findings suggest either that the main effect of training more than 100 km X week-1 may be to increase running economy, or that runners who train more than 100 km X week-1 may have inherited superior running economy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)