Half Marathon Research Articles

Short versus Long Course at Patrouille Des Glaciers (Pdg)–Who Participates At the Original Course from Zermatt to Arolla and Verbier

Background: The biggest ski mountaineering race of the West Alps Patrouille des Glaciers (PdG) is characterized by a short course from Arolla-Verbier and a classic distance from Zermatt-Arolla-Verbier. In accordance with general findings from endurance sports e.g., running where the average speed in half marathon is lower compared to marathon these findings should also be valid for PdG. This yields to the aim of the study to analyze potential differences between the short versus the long course at PdG. Materials and methods: All participants of PdG 2018 were analyzed yielding to a total of 207 Patrols (principally three alpinists) from race one from Zermatt-Arolla- Verbier, 344 patrols from race two Zermatt-Arolla-Verbier as well as 374 patrols from race one of the short distance Arolla-Verbier and 375 of race two Arolla-Verbier with an average age in female of 39.1 ± 10.2 years and male 41.4 ± 10.9. Average speed was calculated with the concept of performance km for the different parts of the short and the long race. Furthermore, significance of differences between average speed of the short and the long race was analyzed with two-sided t-tests. Results: In total, average speed was significantly higher in the original race compared to the short course. Only the first part just after the start was faster in the short race Arolla-Verbier compared to the original race Zermatt- Arolla-Verbier. Discussion: These findings are somehow contra intuitive but might be explained by the different samples of participants at the short versus the long race. At the long race mainly highly trained alpinists take part whereas the short races more often attract recreational alpinists. Beside that gender differences are to mention: Only thirteen female participants absolved the original course (less than 0.01 percent) whereas in the Arolla-Verbier nearly one fourth were female (0.24 percent) implying the large physical challenge in the original course mainly absolved by men.

Commentary: Emotional intelligence impact on half marathon finish times.

Commentary: Emotional intelligence impact on half marathon finish times.

The Association Between Changes in Weekly Running Distance and Running-Related Injury: Preparing for a Half Marathon.

Sudden changes in training load may play a key role in the development of running-related injury (RRI). Because the injury mechanism depends on the runner's musculoskeletal load capacity, the running schedule followed prior to sudden change in training load may influence the amount of change that a runner can tolerate before the runner is at a higher risk of RRI. To investigate the association between change in weekly running distance and RRI, and to examine whether the association may be modified by the running schedule the runner follows. Two hundred sixty-one healthy (noninjured) runners were included in this prospective cohort study over a period of 14 weeks. Data on running activity were collected daily and objectively, using a global positioning system watch or smartphone. Instances of RRIs were collected using weekly e-mailed questionnaires. Primary exposure was defined as changes in weekly running distance. Data were analyzed with time-to-event models that produced cumulative risk difference as the measure of association. A total of 56 participants (21.5%) sustained an RRI during the 14-week study period. Twenty-one days into the study period, significantly more runners were injured when they increased their weekly running distance by 20% to 60% compared with those who increased their distance by less than 20% (risk difference, 22.6%; 95% confidence interval: 0.9%, 44.3%; P = .041). No significant difference was found after 56 and 98 days. No significant effect-measure modification by running schedule was found. Significantly more runners were injured 21 days into the study period when they increased their weekly running distances by 20% to 60% compared with those who increased their distances by less than 20%. Prognosis, level 1b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(4):230-238. Epub 7 Dec 2018. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8541.

Athlete Identity and Eating Pathology in Distance Runners: When Compulsive Exercise Matters

Purpose: The current study evaluated associations between exercise identity (Exercise Identity Scale; EIS), compulsive exercise (Compulsive Exercise Test; CET), and their association with Eating Disorder Examination – Questionnaire (EDE-Q) scores among adult runners registered for mid- and long-distance races (N = 282, 48.2% male). Methods: Runners of half and full marathon races completed the EIS, CET, and EDE-Q. Results: Regression analyses indicated that increased EIS, b = −.21, and CET, b = −3.25, scores contribute to decreased eating pathology amongst half-marathon runners; a significant interaction effect emerged for EIS × CET scores, b = .08, such that relations between EIS and EDEQ scores were significant among runners reporting either lower or higher CET scores. These associations were not demonstrated in marathon runners. Conclusions: Results suggest that it is beneficial to consider running status when addressing the effect that exercise identity and compulsive exercise may have on eating pathology in competitive runners.

Effects of Pacing Properties on Performance in Long-Distance Running.

This article focuses on the performance of runners in official races. Based on extensive public data from participants of races organized by the Boston Athletic Association, we demonstrate how different pacing profiles can affect the performance in a race. An athlete's pacing profile refers to the running speed at various stages of the race. We aim to provide practical, data-driven advice for professional as well as recreational runners. Our data collection covers 3 years of data made public by the race organizers, and primarily concerns the times at various intermediate points, giving an indication of the speed profile of the individual runner. We consider the 10 km, half marathon, and full marathon, leading to a data set of 120,472 race results. Although these data were not primarily recorded for scientific analysis, we demonstrate that valuable information can be gleaned from these substantial data about the right way to approach a running challenge. In this article, we focus on the role of race distance, gender, age, and the pacing profile. Since age is a crucial but complex determinant of performance, we first model the age effect in a gender- and distance-specific manner. We consider polynomials of high degree and use cross-validation to select models that are both accurate and of sufficient generalizability. After that, we perform clustering of the race profiles to identify the dominant pacing profiles that runners select. Finally, after having compensated for age influences, we apply a descriptive pattern mining approach to select reliable and informative aspects of pacing that most determine an optimal performance. The mining paradigm produces relatively simple and readable patterns, such that both professionals and amateurs can use the results to their benefit.

Citius, Altius, Fortius vs. Slow Sport: A New Era of Sustainable Sport.

The objective of the article is to present the slow sport movement as a phenomenon developing in the postmodern era in opposition to the idea of citius, altius, fortius (Eng. faster, higher, stronger). The theoretical part of the article describes the health repercussions of slow movement and its implications for the sports industry and sports tourism. It also points to new challenges in sports management and sports tourism implemented in the slow style. The empirical part of the article aims at determining what influence the achievement of a self-set sports goal has on the degree of satisfaction with participation in a running event among runners. Could runners who did not set themselves any sports goal and ran for pleasure (according to the idea of slow sport) achieve the same degree of satisfaction as runners who set themselves an ambitious sports goal and achieved it (according to the idea of citius, altius, fortius)? The case study is the 6th Poznan Half Marathon, a cyclical, popular running event taking place in Poland. A total of 560 runners (n = 560) took part in the diagnostic survey conducted using the interview technique. The ANOVA Rang Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s test were used in the study. The results show that athletes who did not set a sporting goal (ran for pleasure, company, atmosphere, participation, etc.) experienced the same level of satisfaction as athletes who achieved their intended sporting goal. It turns out, therefore, that sport and physical activity done for pleasure in accordance with the slow sport idea can provide the same level of satisfaction as sport practiced in the spirit of citius, altius, fortius.

Pollution and Weather Trade-offs for Endurance Events

This paper addresses the trade-off between unfavourable air pollution levels and favourable weather conditions for selecting a date for the staging of an outdoor event. For an event date that has been fixed, it presents a personal preference-based data-driven decision framework for individual participation. For the specific case of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, it explores the interaction between expected patterns in weather and pollution through the calendar year, and examines the many choices available for both event organizer and different participant types.

Can participants predict where ambulance-requiring cases occur at a half marathon?

Despite endurance races leading to a substantial number of ambulance-requiring cases (ARC), little is known regarding where they occur, meaning that knowing where to place medical teams, ambulance pick-up points, etc, is difficult. This article investigates whether the location of ARCs can be identified by race participants. Using the world's largest half marathon (Gothenburg half marathon) as a case, 237 runners were asked, post-race, to mark on a map which geographical point of the race was most exhausting. Using the level of agreement tests, these geographical points were then compared with the GPS positions of ARCs. According to the level of agreement tests, the most exhausting positions (MEP), as identified by participants, seem to be highly correlated to the location of ARCs. This study can also show that ambulance-requiring cases seem to be more prevalent towards the end of the race and in uphill sections. By asking participants where they found the race most exhausting it seems possible to identify high-risk places for an ARC. From a practical perspective, using this method could considerably increase the safety of competitors as well as improving the cost-effectiveness of safety interventions at endurance races. Further studies are needed to understand the specific risk factors of the high-risk areas as well as characteristics of collapsed runners.

Running as a Form of Therapy Socio-Psychological Functions of Mass Running Events for Men and Women

The main goal of this study was to recognize the motives of participation in mass running events (Poznan Half Marathon case study). The second aim was to examine the motivations to participate in a half-marathon among two groups of respondents: men and women, and to evaluate the differences between them. The empirical research among runners (n = 560) conducted during the one of the most important running events in Poland recognized the motives for participation in the sports event in accordance with the four basic types of orientation: social orientation, experience orientation, factual orientation, and result orientation (Freyer & Gross, 2002). The significant difference between surveyed men and women appeared in the motives of desire to get away from everyday life and its prevailing fashion, which turned out to be more important for women than for men. The desire to win was not important for the respondents. All respondents reported that what was very important for them was the need to experience strong emotions related to participation, the desire to feel unity and integration with other people, and the desire to test themselves. In general, the results show that people participate in running events not only for physical activity, but also for mental well-being and socio-psychological effects. They experience strong emotions, adrenaline, pleasure, relaxation, and an escape from the duties and hardships of everyday life and have an opportunity to build social relationships thanks to mass sports events organized in urban agglomerations. The article constitutes a conceptualization of the running event in the dimension of social and psychological interactions, which reveal and demonstrate its creative layers and contemporary meaning which has already gone deeply beyond functions of running for health and improving the physical condition.

The Promotion of Some Geographical Places as Tourist and Leisure Destinations by Sports Events. Case Study: Half Marathon Bichigiu (Bistrița-Năsăud County, Romania)

The Promotion of Some Geographical Places as Tourist and Leisure Destinations by Sports Events. Case Study: Half Marathon Bichigiu (Bistrița-Năsăud County, Romania)

InPen Smart Insulin Pen System: Product Review and User Experience.

I was embroiled in severe insulin pump burnout throughout 2017. My glucose management was relatively stable, but I struggled with technology management issues throughout the year. I had participated in more than half a dozen races, including 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer events and a couple of half marathons, culminating in a marathon. During each of these clutch athletic moments, I had pump failure issues. There was no consistency about when my pump died—only that it did die every single time I raced. Needless to say, I was frustrated. I have had diabetes for almost 23 years and have used an insulin pump for 14 of those years. For the past 9 years, I have used a leading-brand pump with relatively positive results in terms of both diabetes management and performance in endurance running/cycling/triathlon events. However, the headache of repeated pump failures led me to consider switching back to a multiple daily injection (MDI) regimen to give myself a reprieve from the nuances, and even more so the recent annoyances, of insulin pump therapy. But, I could not let go of my need, or at least my desire, for an automated “brain” that could help do the math calculations for me. Despite feeling that I had no great option, I took the plunge and switched back to an MDI regimen using disposable insulin pens. I also tried a variety of glucose-tracking mobile applications, such as mySugr (1) and Glucose Buddy (2), as I searched for a tool to help fill in the void left when I stopped using my pump. Although these apps are great for tracking glucose, none of the U.S.-based versions of them possesses the prized insulin-on-board (IOB) functionality I so desperately desired (3) to help me calculate doses. My despair ended, however, when I encountered the InPen. Produced by …

No baseline strength differences between female recreational runners who developed an injury and injury free runners during a 16-week formalized training program

ObjectiveTo identify whether baseline differences in hip and knee isometric strength exist among female runners who sustained a running related injury (RRI) and those that remained injury-free during a 16-week formalized training program. DesignProspective Cohort. Setting: Laboratory Setting. Participants54 healthy female recreational runners enrolled in a formalized training program for half or full marathon. At the conclusion of the program, 50 female runners (age: 39.1 ± 9.4 years; height: 165.3 ± 7.4 cm; mass: 64.8 ± 11.9 kg) were included in analysis. Main outcome measuresPeak isometric torque of knee flexion and extension, hip flexion and extension, and hip abduction and external rotation were compared between runners who sustained an RRI and injury-free (INJF) runners. Results15 of the 50 participants developed an RRI during the observational period, no between groups differences existed for any demographic variable. Hip and knee isometric strength was not different prior to the start of a 16-week formalized training program between runners who sustained an RRI and those that remained injury-free. ConclusionsHip and knee weakness does not appear to be a baseline characteristic among female recreational runners who sustained an RRI or remained uninjured while training for a half or full marathon.

‘Take a Mental Break!’ study: Role of mental aspects in running-related injuries using a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundRunning-related injuries (RRIs) can be considered the primary enemy of runners. Most literature on injury prediction and prevention overlooks the mental aspects of overtraining and under-recovery, despite their potential role...

How accurate are runners' prospective predictions of their race times?

Metacognition is a domain which has illuminated our understanding of the regulation of cognition, but has yet to be applied in detail to more physical activities. We used half marathon finish time predictions from 7211 runners to investigate the factors that influence running performance metacognitive accuracy. In particular, we were concerned with the effects of experience, gender, and age on calibration. We expected more experienced runners to be better calibrated than less experienced ones. Given analogous findings in the domain of metacognition, we expected women to be less overconfident in their predictions, and better calibrated than male runners. Based on the metacognition literature, we expected that if older runners have effectively learned from previous experience, they would be as well-calibrated as younger runners. In contrast, uninformed inferences not based on performance feedback would lead to overestimating performance for older compared to younger runners. As expected, experience in terms of both club membership and previous race completion improved calibration. Unexpectedly though, females were more overconfident than males, overestimating their performance and demonstrating poorer calibration. A positive relationship was observed between age and prediction accuracy, with older runners showing better calibration. The present study demonstrates that data, collected before a test of physical activity, can inform our understanding of how participants anticipate their performance, and how this ability is affected by a number of demographic and situational variables. Athletes and coaches alike should be aware of these variables to better understand, organise, plan, and predict running performance, potentially leading to more appropriate training sessions and faster race finish times.

Modern Running Events in Sustainable Development—More than Just Taking Care of Health and Physical Condition (Poznan Half Marathon Case Study)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the motivations to participate in a half marathon among two groups of respondents—those living in large cities (with more than 500,000 inhabitants) and 110 living in rural areas—and evaluate the differences between them. The empirical research (n = 342) was conducted during the one of the most important running events in Poland, and recognized the motives for participation in sports events according to the four basic types of orientation: social orientation, sensation-seeking orientation, factual orientation, and result orientation. The division of Freyer and Gross (2002) was the basis for the development of the author’s questionnaire survey of motives for participation in running events. The results indicated that the significant difference between urban and rural residents appeared in the results regarding the group of motives in the scope of sensation-seeking orientation. City residents declared that the most important thing for them was the desire to have fun, which was 15% higher than in rural residents. On the other hand, rural residents reported that the most important thing for them was the need to experience strong emotions related to participation, which was 20% higher than in urban residents. In general, the results might help sport managers and city government analyze consumer behavior and utilize the results in the strategic, sustainable planning, marketing, and implementation of physical culture and leisure in connection with massive sport events organizations.

Dysnatremia among runners in a half marathon performed under warm and humid conditions

BackgroundDysnatremia has been associated with sports activity, especially long-distance running and endurance sports. High fluid intake is associated with hyponatremia. This study aims to evaluate dysnatremia and risk factors in...

Economic Impact of the 11th Douro Valley Half Marathon

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the direct economic impact of the 11th Douro Valley Half Marathon held in Portugal in 2016. An ad-hoc questionnaire was designed for collecting data. It was composed of four dimensions: (i) socio-demographic data, (ii) expenses, (iii) sports practice, and (iv) satisfaction with the event (54 items in total). There were 375 questionnaires randomly collected in a total of 16,330 runners. The mean expense of local participants in this half marathon was €219, while non-resident participants expended about €320. Thus, the local participants’ inflow was €1,036,965, while the non-resident participants’ inflow was €3,709,760, resulting in a total participant inflow of €4,746,725. Regarding the participants’ specific expenses, the following order was obtained: 1st, accommodation; 2nd, food; 3rd, travel costs; 4th, shopping. It was calculated that the total local economic impact of the 11th Douro Valley Half Marathon participants was almost five million euros (€4,746,725).

Circulating microRNAs as emerging cardiac biomarkers responsive to acute exercise

BackgroundCirculating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) are mediators of intercellular communication with great potential as cardiac biomarkers. The analysis of c-miRNAs in response to physiological stress, such as exercise, would provide valuable information for clinical practice and a deeper understanding of the molecular response to physical activity. Here, we analysed for the first time the acute exercise response of c-miRNAs reported as biomarkers of cardiac disease in a well-characterized cohort of healthy active adults. MethodsBlood samples were collected immediately before and after (0 h, 24 h, 72 h) a 10-km race, a half-marathon (HM) and a marathon (M). Serum RNA from 10-km and M samples was extracted and a panel of 74 miRNAs analysed using RT-qPCR. c-miRNA response was compared with a panel of nine cardiac biomarkers. Functional enrichment analysis was performed. Pre- and post-M echocardiographic analyses were carried out. ResultsSerum levels of all cardiac biomarkers were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner in response to exercise, even in the absence of symptoms or signs of cardiac injury. A deregulation in the profiles of 5 and 19 c-miRNAs was observed for 10-km and M, respectively. Each race induced a specific qualitative and quantitative alteration of c-miRNAs implicated in cardiac adaptions. Supporting their discriminative potential, a number of c-miRNAs previously associated with cardiac disease were undetectable or stable in response to exercise. Conversely, “pseudo-disease” signatures were also observed. Conclusionsc-miRNAs may be useful for the management of cardiac conditions in the context of acute aerobic exercise. Translational aspects of the workCirculating microRNAs could offer incremental diagnostic value to established and emerging cardiac biomarkers, such as hs-cTnT or NT-proBNP, in those patients with cardiac dysfunction symptoms after an acute bout of endurance exercise. Furthermore, circulating miRNAs could also show “pseudo-disease” signatures in response to acute exercise. Clinical practitioners should be aware of the impact caused by exercise in the interpretation of miRNA data.

Curcuma Longa Extract Reduces Muscle Soreness And Myoglobin Following A Half-marathon

Strenuous exercise result in muscle damage. Oral curcumin appears to reduce pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness and enhance recovery of muscle performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the chronic effect of curcuma intake after a half-marathon run on indirect markers of muscle damage. METHODS: Twenty-eight men completed a double-blind randomized-controlled trial. Curcuma Longa L. extract (SG - 1,5g/ day) or placebo (PG - microcrystalline cellulose) was taken twice daily (two capsules during the lunch and one capsule during the dinner) for 4 weeks, then three capsules immediately before the half marathon. Measurements were made at baseline (M0), 20 days after supplementation (M1), immediately before (Pre), after the half marathon (Post), two hours after the half marathon (2 h post), 24 hours after the half marathon (24 h post), and 48 hours after the half marathon (48 h post), comprising: CK, LDH, ALT, AST, myoglobin and muscle soreness. RESULTS: SG decreased muscle soreness in palpation of biceps femoris 48-h after half-marathon run (P < 0.05). No difference between groups was observed in ALT, AST, CK, LDH. Myoglobin concentrations were lower after 2 h post competition in SG when compared to PG (62.1 + 8.26 vs. 107.9 + 18.5 ng/mL; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcuma Longa extract reduces muscle soreness and myoglobin concentration after a half-marathon run. Supported by CNPq Grant 484023/2013-6.

A Lactate Kinetics Method for Assessing the Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload

During a continuously increasing exercise workload (WL) a point will be reached at which arterial lactate accumulates rapidly. This so-called lactate threshold (LT) is associated with the maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW), the highest WL, at which arterial lactate concentration [LA] does not change. However, the physiological range in which the LT and the MLSSW occur has not been demonstrated directly. We used minor WL variations in the MLSSW range to assess arterial lactate kinetics in 278 treadmill and 148 bicycle ergometer exercise tests. At a certain workload, minimal further increment of running speed (0.1–0.15 m/s) or cycling power (7–10 W) caused a steep elevation of [LA] (0.9 ± 0.43 mM, maximum increase 2.4 mM), indicating LT achievement. This sharp [LA] increase was more pronounced when higher WL increments were used (0.1 vs. 0.30 m/s, P = 0.02; 0.15 vs. 0.30 m/s, P < 0.001; 7 vs. 15 W, P = 0.002; 10 vs. 15 W, P = 0.001). A subsequent workload reduction (0.1 m/s/7 W) stopped the [LA] increase indicating MLSSW realization. LT based determination of running speed (MLSSW) was highly reproducible on a day-to-day basis (r = 0.996, P < 0.001), valid in a 10 km constant velocity setting (r = 0.981, P < 0.001) and a half marathon race (r = 0.969, P < 0.001). These results demonstrate a fine-tuned regulation of exercise-related lactate metabolism, which can be reliably captured by assessing lactate kinetics at the MLSSW.