Marathon Performance Research Articles

Exploring the Anthropometric, Cardiorespiratory, and Haematological Determinants of Marathon Performance

AimWe aimed to investigate the main anthropometric, cardiorespiratory and haematological factors that can determine marathon race performance in marathon runners.MethodsForty-five marathon runners (36 males, age: 42 ± 10 years) were examined during the training period for a marathon race. Assessment of training characteristics, anthropometric measurements, including height, body weight (n = 45) and body fat percentage (BF%) (n = 33), echocardiographic study (n = 45), cardiopulmonary exercise testing using treadmill ergometer (n = 33) and blood test (n = 24) were performed. We evaluated the relationships of these measurements with the personal best marathon race time (MRT) within a time frame of one year before or after the evaluation of each athlete.ResultsThe training age regarding long-distance running was 9 ± 7 years. Training volume was 70 (50–175) km/week. MRT was 4:02:53 ± 00:50:20 h. The MRT was positively associated with BF% (r = 0.587, p = 0.001). Among echocardiographic parameters, MRT correlated negatively with right ventricular end-diastolic area (RVEDA) (r = −0.716, p < 0.001). RVEDA was the only independent echocardiographic predictor of MRT. With regard to respiratory parameters, MRT correlated negatively with maximum minute ventilation indexed to body surface area (VEmax/BSA) (r = −0.509, p = 0.003). Among parameters of blood test, MRT correlated negatively with haemoglobin concentration (r = −0.471, p = 0.027) and estimated haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) (r = −0.680, p = 0.002). After performing multivariate linear regression analysis with MRT as dependent variable and BF% (standardised β = 0.501, p = 0.021), RVEDA (standardised β = −0.633, p = 0.003), VEmax/BSA (standardised β = 0.266, p = 0.303) and Hbmass (standardised β = −0.308, p = 0.066) as independent variables, only BF% and RVEDA were significant independent predictors of MRT (adjusted R2 = 0.796, p < 0.001 for the model).ConclusionsThe main physiological determinants of better marathon performance appear to be low BF% and RV enlargement. Upregulation of both maximum minute ventilation during exercise and haemoglobin mass may have a weaker effect to enhance marathon performance.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04738877.

Four Weeks of Probiotic Supplementation Alters the Metabolic Perturbations Induced by Marathon Running: Insight from Metabolomics.

Few data are available that describe how probiotics influence systemic metabolism during endurance exercise. Metabolomic profiling of endurance athletes will elucidate mechanisms by which probiotics may confer benefits to the athlete. In this study, twenty-four runners (20 male, 4 female) were block randomised into two groups using a double-blind matched-pairs design according to their most recent Marathon performance. Runners were assigned to 28-days of supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (PRO) or a placebo (PLB). Following 28-days of supplementation, runners performed a competitive track Marathon race. Venous blood samples and muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were collected on the morning of the race and immediately post-race. Samples were subsequently analysed by untargeted 1H-NMR metabolomics. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a greater difference in the post-Marathon serum metabolome in the PLB group vs. PRO. Univariate tests identified 17 non-overlapped metabolites in PLB, whereas only seven were identified in PRO. By building a PLS-DA model of two components, we revealed combinations of metabolites able to discriminate between PLB and PRO post-Marathon. PCA of muscle biopsies demonstrated no discernible difference post-Marathon between treatment groups. In conclusion, 28-days of probiotic supplementation alters the metabolic perturbations induced by a Marathon. Such findings may be related to maintaining the integrity of the gut during endurance exercise.

Performance and Thermal Perceptions of Runners Competing in the London Marathon: Impact of Environmental Conditions.

The 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon (2018 VMLM) was the hottest in the race’s 37-year history. The aims of this research were to (1) survey novice mass participation marathoners to examine the perceptual thermal demands of this extreme weather event and (2) investigate the effect of the air temperature on finish times. A mixed-methods design involving the collection of survey data (n = 364; male = 63, female = 294) and secondary analysis of environmental and marathon performance (676,456 finishers) between 2001 and 2019 was used. The 2018 VMLM mean finishing time was slower than the mean of all other London marathons; there were positive correlations between maximum race day temperature and finish time for mass-start participants, and the difference in maximum race day temperature and mean maximum daily temperature for the 60 days before the London Marathon (p < 0.05). Of the surveyed participants, 23% classified their thermal sensation as ‘warm’, ‘hot’ or ‘very hot’ and 68% ‘thermally comfortable’ during training, compared with a peak of 95% feeling ‘warm’, ‘hot’ or ‘very hot’ and 77% ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘very uncomfortable’ during the 2018VMLM. Organisers should use temperature forecasting and plan countermeasures such as adjusting the start time of the event to avoid high temperatures, help runners predict finish time and adjust pacing strategies accordingly and provide safety recommendations for participants at high-risk time points as well as cooling strategies.

Marathon race performance increases the amount of particulate matter deposited in the respiratory system of runners: an incentive for "clean air marathon runs".

BackgroundIn the last decades, marathon running has become a popular form of physical activity among people around the world. It should be noticed that the main marathon races are performed in large cities, where air quality varies considerably. It is well established that breathing polluted air results in a number of harmful effects to the human body. However, there have been no studies to show the impact of marathon run performance on the amount of the deposition of varied fractions of airborne particulate matter (PM) in the respiratory tract of runners. This is why the present study sought to determine the impact of marathon run performance in the air of varying quality on the deposition of the PM1, PM2.5, PM10 in the respiratory tract in humans.MethodsThe PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 deposition was determined in an “average runner” (with marathon performance time 4 h: 30 min) and in an “elite marathon runner” (with marathon performance time 2 h: 00 min) at rest, and during a marathon race, based on own measurements of the PM content in the air and the size-resolved DF(d) profile concept.ResultsWe have shown that breathing air containing 50 µg m−3 PM10 (a borderline value according to the 2006 WHO standard - still valid) at minute ventilation (VE) equal to 8 L min−1 when at rest, resulted in PM10deposition rate of approximately 9 µg h−1, but a marathon run of an average marathon runner with the VE = 62 L min−1 increased the deposition rate up to 45 µg h−1. In the elite runner, marathon run with the VE= 115 L min−1 increased PM10 deposition rate to 83 µg h−1. Interestingly, breathing the air containing 50 µg m−3of PM10 at the VE = 115 L min−1by the elite marathon runner during the race resulted in the same PM10deposition rate as the breathing highly polluted air containing as much as 466 µg m−3 of PM10 when at rest. Furthermore, the total PM10 deposition in the respiratory tract during a marathon race in average runners is about 22% greater (203 / 166 = 1.22) than in elite runners. According to our calculations, the concentration of PM10in the air during a marathon race that would allow one not to exceed the PM10 deposition rate of 9 µg h−1should be lower than 10 µg m−3 in the case of an average runner, and it should be lower than 5.5 µg m−3 in the case of an elite runner.ConclusionsWe conclude that a marathon run drastically increases the rate of deposition of the airborne PM in the respiratory tract of the runners, as a consequence of the huge VE generated during the race. A decrease of the PM content in the air attenuates this rate. Based on our calculations, we postulate that the PM10 content in the air during a “clean air marathon run”, involving elite marathon runners, should be below 5.5 µg m−3.

Genetic Polymorphisms Related to VO2max Adaptation Are Associated With Elite Rugby Union Status and Competitive Marathon Performance.

Genetic polymorphisms have been associated with the adaptation to training in maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max). However, the genotype distribution of selected polymorphisms in athletic cohorts is unknown, with their influence on performance characteristics also undetermined. This study investigated whether the genotype distributions of 3 polymorphisms previously associated with V˙O2max training adaptation are associated with elite athlete status and performance characteristics in runners and rugby athletes, competitors for whom aerobic metabolism is important. Genomic DNA was collected from 732 men including 165 long-distance runners, 212 elite rugby union athletes, and 355 nonathletes. Genotype and allele frequencies of PRDM1 rs10499043 C/T, GRIN3A rs1535628 G/A, and KCNH8 rs4973706 T/C were compared between athletes and nonathletes. Personal-best marathon times in runners, as well as in-game performance variables and playing position, of rugby athletes were analyzed according to genotype. Runners with PRDM1 T alleles recorded marathon times ∼3minutes faster than CC homozygotes (02:27:55 [00:07:32]h vs 02:31:03 [00:08:24]h, P = .023). Rugby athletes had 1.57 times greater odds of possessing the KCNH8 TT genotype than nonathletes (65.5% vs 54.7%, χ2 = 6.494, P = .013). No other associations were identified. This study is the first to demonstrate that polymorphisms previously associated with V˙O2max training adaptations in nonathletes are also associated with marathon performance (PRDM1) and elite rugby union status (KCNH8). The genotypes and alleles previously associated with superior endurance-training adaptation appear to be advantageous in long-distance running and achieving elite status in rugby union.

The Optimal Ambient Conditions for World Record and World Class Performances at the Berlin Marathon.

The “Berlin Marathon” is the fastest marathon racecourse in the world and has witnessed 11 world records (WRs; eight in men and three in women). Weather conditions can have an important impact on race time and we therefore examined the influence of environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, sunshine, precipitation, barometric pressure, and cloud cover) on WRs and elite (i.e., winner, top three and top 10 finishers) marathon performances of men and women at the “Berlin Marathon” between 1974 and 2019. Average world record marathon times in men were 2:03:52 ± 0:01:19 h:min:s and 2:25:05 ± 0:08:25 h:min:s in females (p < 0.05). Male competitions were held 44 times (mean winning time: 2:09:48 ± 0:09:15 h:min:s) and female competitions 41 times (mean winning time: 02:30:35 ± 0:19:09 h:min:s; p < 0.05). World record performances were set at mean temperatures of 18.61 ± 2.59°C for men and 13.07 ± 4.01°C for women (p > 0.05). The ideal environmental conditions for world record performances for men were temperatures of 18.61°C (p > 0.05), sunny, mostly dry days, with higher atmospheric pressure and little cloud cover (all p > 0.05). In women, ideal conditions for world records performances were temperatures of 13.07°C (p > 0.05), with low atmospheric pressure (p > 0.05), but significantly more rain (p < 0.05), and with no sunshine (p < 0.05) and cloud cover (p < 0.05). With elite performances, the ideal temperatures were of 17.36 ± 4.33°C for men and 17.93 ± 4.07°C for women (p > 0.05), with little to no rain, and moderate cloud cover and sunshine (p > 0.05). In summary, novel findings are, that environmental conditions in world records performances differ between men and women, with women obtaining world records in bad weather (with rain, cloud cover, and no sunshine) and men in good weather (sunny, mostly dry days, with little cloud cover). Larger sample sizes are needed to examine sex differences and environmental conditions on world record marathon performances.

Retrospective Analysis of Training and Its Response in Marathon Finishers Based on Fitness App Data.

Objective: Finishing a marathon requires to prepare for a 42.2 km run. Current literature describes which training characteristics are related to marathon performance. However, which training is most effective in terms of a performance improvement remains unclear.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of training responses during a 16 weeks training period prior to an absolved marathon. The analysis was performed on unsupervised fitness app data (Runtastic) from 6,771 marathon finishers. Differences in training volume and intensity between three response and three marathon performance groups were analyzed. Training response was quantified by the improvement of the velocity of 10 km runs Δv10 between the first and last 4 weeks of the training period. Response and marathon performance groups were classified by the 33.3rd and 66.6th percentile of Δv10 and the marathon performance time, respectively.Results: Subjects allocated in the faster marathon performance group showed systematically higher training volume and higher shares of training at low intensities. Only subjects in the moderate and high response group increased their training velocity continuously along the 16 weeks of training.Conclusion: We demonstrate that a combination of maximized training volumes at low intensities, a continuous increase in average running speed up to the aimed marathon velocity and high intensity runs ≤ 5 % of the overall training volume was accompanied by an improved 10 km performance which likely benefited the marathon performance as well. The study at hand proves that unsupervised workouts recorded with fitness apps can be a valuable data source for future studies in sport science.

Low ventilatory responsiveness to transient hypoxia or breath-holding predicts fast marathon performance in healthy middle-aged and older men

The aim of this study was to test the utility of haemodynamic and autonomic variables (e.g. peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity [PCheS], blood pressure variability [BPV]) for the prediction of individual performance (marathon time and VO2max) in older men. The post-competition vasodilation and sympathetic vasomotor tone predict the marathon performance in younger men, but their prognostic relevance in older men remains unknown. The peripheral chemoreflex restrains exercise-induced vasodilation via sympathetically-mediated mechanism, what makes it a plausible candidate for the individual performance marker. 23 men aged ≥ 50 year competing in the Wroclaw Marathon underwent an evaluation of: resting haemodynamic parameters, PCheS with two methods: transient hypoxia and breath-holding test (BHT), cardiac barosensitivity, heart rate variability (HRV) and BPV, plasma renin and aldosterone, VO2max in a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). All tests were conducted twice: before and after the race, except for transient hypoxia and CPET which were performed once, before the race. Fast marathon performance and high VO2max were correlated with: low ventilatory responsiveness to hypoxia (r = − 0.53, r = 0.67, respectively) and pre-race BHT (r = − 0.47, r = 0.51, respectively), (1) greater SD of beat-to-beat SBP (all p < 0.05). Fast performance was related with an enhanced pre-race vascular response to BHT (r = − 0.59, p = 0.005). The variables found by other studies to predict the marathon performance in younger men: post-competition vasodilation, sympathetic vasomotor tone (LF-BPV) and HRV were not associated with the individual performance in our population. The results suggest that PCheS (ventilatory response) predicts individual performance (marathon time and VO2max) in men aged ≥ 50 yeat. Although cause-effect relationship including the role of peripheral chemoreceptors in restraining the post-competition vasodilation via the sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow may be hypothesized to underline these findings, the lack of correlation between individual performance and both, the post-competition vasodilation and the sympathetic vasomotor tone argues against such explanation. Vascular responsiveness to breath-holding appears to be of certain value for predicting individual performance in this population, however.

Technological advances in elite marathon performance.

There is scientific and legal controversy about recent technological advances in performance running shoes that reduce the energetic cost of running and may provide a distinct competitive advantage. To better understand the potential performance-enhancing effects of technological advancements in marathon racing shoes, we examined the finishing times and racing shoes of the top 50 male and 50 female runners from the World Marathon Major series in the 2010s before and after the introduction of new Nike shoe models (4%, NEXT%, Alphafly, and other prototypes; herein referred to as "neoteric Nikes"). Data for racing shoes were available for 3,886 of the 3,900 performances recorded at the four annual marathons in Boston, London, Chicago, and New York. In full cohort analyses, marathon finishing times were 2.0% or 2.8 min (138.5 ± 8.1 min vs. 141.3 ± 7.4 min, P < 0.001) faster for male runners wearing neoteric Nikes compared with other shoes. For females, marathon finishing times were 2.6% or 4.3 min (159.1 ± 10.0 min vs. 163.4 ± 10.7 min, P < 0.001) faster for runners wearing neoteric Nikes. In a subset of within-runner changes in marathon performances (males, n = 138; females, n = 101), marathon finishing times improved by 0.8% or 1.2 min for males wearing neoteric Nikes relative to the most recent marathon in which other shoes were worn, and this performance-enhancing effect was greater among females who demonstrated 1.6% or 3.7 min improvement (P = 0.002). Our results demonstrate that marathon performances are substantially faster when world-class athletes, and particularly females, wear marathon racing shoes with technological advancements.NEW & NOTEWORTHY World-class athletes are substantively faster, wearing marathon racing shoes with technological advancements than other shoes when competing in the marathon. Our findings suggest that technological advances in footwear contributed to the recent improvements in marathon finishing times among elite runners and in record-setting marathon performances. This investigation highlights the importance of sports analytics and may have broad implications for the regulation of running footwear during competition.

Trends in Weather Conditions and Performance by Age Groups Over the History of the Berlin Marathon.

The effect of different environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, barometric pressure, and precipitation has been well investigated in elite marathoners, but not by age categories (i.e., age group marathoners). The aim of the study was to investigate the potential influence of environmental conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure on marathon performance in age group marathoners competing in the ‘Berlin Marathon’ from 1974 to 2019. A total of 869,474 valid finisher records were available for analysis, of which 711,136 correspond to males and 158,338 to females. The influence of temperature, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation on marathon race times was investigated in age group marathoners grouped in 5-year-intervals. Within the 46 years of Berlin marathons under investigation, there was some level of precipitation for 18 years, and 28 years without any rain. Sunshine was predominant in 25 of the events, whilst in the other 21 years, cloud cover was predominant. Marathon race times were significantly and positively correlated with age (i.e., older runners were slower than younger runners) where the correlation was higher for males than for females. Marathon race times were significantly and positively correlated with both the hours of sunshine and the daily maximum temperature. The fastest marathon runners (meaning the minimum times) achieved the fastest race times on race days with higher maximum temperatures (i.e., 15–30°C). Daily maximum temperatures showed an influence on age group marathoners from age group 35–40 years and older. Higher precipitation levels impaired performance across most age groups. In summary, higher daily maximum temperatures (i.e., >15°C) and higher precipitation levels impaired performance of master marathoners (i.e., 35–40 years and older) competing in the ‘Berlin Marathon’ in the last 45 years. Master marathoners should start in marathon races with temperatures < 15°C and no precipitation in order to achieve a fast marathon race time.

Exploring the physiological determinants of marathon performance

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): ESPA 2014-2020 Background/Introduction: Long-time endurance exercise training leads to cardiovascular, respiratory, haematological and neuromuscular adaptations. The relative contribution of these adaptations to running performance in long-distance races remains to be elucidated in an integrative manner. Purpose The study of the relationship of marathon performance with anthropometric, cardiorespiratory and haematological adaptations. Methods Thirty-one marathon runners (26 males, age: 42 ± 9 years) were examined within 3 weeks before Athens marathon race (42.195 km). Assessment of training characteristics, anthropometric measurements, including height, body weight and body fat percentage, echocardiographic study, cardiopulmonary exercise testing using treadmill ergometer and blood test were performed. Results Training age was 11(1-39) years. Body fat percentage(BFP) was 17.3 ± 7.1% and body weight-indexed maximum oxygen uptake(VO2max) was 52.6 ± 8.9 mL/kg/min. Marathon race time(MRT) was 3:59:01(2:47:17-5:31:32). Among anthropometric measurements, MRT was positively associated with BFP(r= 0.561, p = 0.002) and body fat mass(r = 0.514, p = 0.005), even after adjustment for VO2max or oxygen uptake at first(VO2-VT1) or second(VO2-VT2) ventilatory threshold, implying an effect of BFP on running economy. Among echocardiographic parameters, MRT correlated negatively with right ventricular end-diastolic area(RVEDA) (r = -0.707, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and ratio of early to late diastolic transtricuspid flow velocity(TVE/A) (r= -0.430, p = 0.025). MRT correlated negatively with body weight-indexed VO2max (r= -0.692, p &amp;lt; 0.001), VO2-VT1 (r= -0.426, p = 0.019) and VO2-VT2 (r= -0.688, p &amp;lt; 0.001). MRT correlated negatively with maximum minute ventilation(VEmax) (r= -0.418, p = 0.022), VEmax indexed for body surface area(BSA) (r= -0.456, p= 0.011), maximum tidal volume(Vtmax) indexed for BSA(r= -0.436, p = 0.018) and oxygen uptake efficiency slope(OUES) (r= -0.529, p = 0.003). MRT was not associated with haemoglobin concentration. RVEDA correlated positively with maximum oxygen pulse (r = 0.653, p = 0.001), which is an estimate of stroke volume during exercise, and OUES(r = 0.534, p = 0.009). After performing multivariate linear regression analysis with MRT as dependent variable and BFP(standardized β=0.495, p = 0.001), RVEDA(standardized β= -0.550, p = 0.001) and Vtmax indexed for BSA(standardized β= -0.110, p = 0.418) as independent variables, only BFP and RVEDA were significant independent predictors of MRT(adjusted R2 = 0.667, p &amp;lt; 0.001 for the model). Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrated that the main cardiorespiratory adaptation that could predict a better marathon performance was right ventricular dilatation, through the increase in stroke volume during exercise, whereas upregulation of tidal volume during exercise was found to be a weaker predictor. The principal anthropometric determinant of marathon performance appears to be body fat percentage, via the influence on running economy. Abstract Figure 1

Sub 3-Hour Marathon Runners for Five Consecutive Decades Demonstrate a Reduced Age-Related Decline in Performance.

Estimation of the age-related decline in athletic performance by analyzing age-group world record performances presents an inherent limitation because the records generally belong to different individuals. Longitudinal studies describing the changes in performance with advancing age for the same individuals with a consistent training regimen are more appropriate to determine age-related changes in performance. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the age-related decline in running performance of sub 3-h marathoners for five consecutive calendar decades. The best marathon performances for each decade from the 1970s to the 2010s were analyzed for 40 sub 3-h runners (39 males and 1 female). The cohort mean personal best performance was 2 h 23 min ± 9 min at an age of 28.6 ± 4.7 years. The mean difference in age between the first and the last sub 3-h marathon races was 32.9 ± 1.6 years. The time difference in marathon performance between the personal best and the worst performance during the 5th decade was 26 ± 9 min, corresponding to a mean increase of 1 min 4 s per year, i.e., a decrease in running speed of 0.67 ± 0.29% per year. These results suggest that with consistent training and racing regimens, it is possible to limit the age-related decline in marathon performance to less than 7% per decade at least until 60 years of age. Further studies are required to verify if such a low rate of age-related decline in endurance performance could be maintained after 60 years of age.

The importance of protein intake in master marathon runners

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between protein intake (during the tapering period and the race), marathon performance, body composition, acute race-induced changes, and selected metabolic– and muscle damage–related blood biomarkers in recreational master runners. MethodsIn 58 experienced master runners (58.28 y ± 1.07 y, 174.06 cm ± 0.72 cm, 78.51 kg ± 0.76 kg body mass, 21.38% ± 0.52% body fat, mean ± SEM), nutritional intake was evaluated 1 wk before the race and during the marathon. Body composition was evaluated before and 2 h after the race. Blood samples were collected at the same time points. ResultsBody fat and lean body mass (LBM) were significantly reduced after the marathon (P < 0.01; η2: 0.311–0.888). Significant negative correlations were observed between energy intake from carbohydrates and proteins (expressed per LBM), marathon performance, and race-induced changes of blood metabolic-muscle damage indices (P < 0.05; r: –0.522 to –0.789). Positive correlations were observed between energy from carbohydrates and proteins per LBM, and body mass and LBM changes (P < 0.05; r: 0.485–0.814). The specific contribution of protein intakes per LBM (beta coefficient: –0.789 to 0.615) on race-induced changes of body composition and blood markers was the same as that of carbohydrate intakes per LBM (beta coefficient: –0.777 to 0.559). ConclusionsMarathon-induced changes in body composition and metabolic blood indices are highly related to protein intake, either during the tapering period or during the race, with runners experiencing the lowest changes when consuming higher protein intakes.

The Effects of Different Intensive Physical Performances by athletes on Selected Hematological Parameters

The aim of this review study is to compare the effects of different intensive physical performances andcompetitions from several studies include (football, basketball, 24h marathon race and cycling) games onhematological parameters of males players. And to find the one with strongest effect on those parametersamong the performances. The Hematological parameter include white blood cell count (WBC ) , redblood cell count (RBC) count , hemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV) , meancorpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelet count(PLT). Iron and Feritten level also estimated in one study. When comparing the blood values for all theplayers before and after the competitions period, there were significant differences in prevalence of most ofblood parameters in all studies but the most impact was in 24 h marathon performance of 11 male runnerswho raced for 24 hours around a 400 m oval track, covering at least 100 km of distance. The runners changedcourse every 4 hours and were allowed to rest and freely consume food and water. The blood samples wereobtained from subject in 2 and 9 days prior to competition and after competition. The result was showing thatthe the runners suffering from distinguish blood anemia appear after competition in 2 day. The findings showthat the hematological parameters could be affected by endurance of performance depending on competitiontime period and intensity of physical performance.

Lower leg muscle\u2013tendon unit characteristics are related to marathon running performance

The human ankle joint and plantar flexor muscle–tendon unit play an important role in endurance running. It has been assumed that muscle and tendon interactions and their biomechanical behaviours depend on their morphological and architectural characteristics. We aimed to study how plantar flexor muscle characteristics influence marathon running performance and to determine whether there is any difference in the role of the soleus and gastrocnemii. The right lower leg of ten male distance runners was scanned with magnetic resonance imagining. The cross-sectional areas of the Achilles tendon, soleus, and lateral and medial gastrocnemius were measured, and the muscle volumes were calculated. Additional ultrasound scanning was used to estimate the fascicle length of each muscle to calculate the physiological cross-sectional area. Correlations were found between marathon running performance and soleus volume (r = 0.55, p = 0.048), soleus cross-sectional area (r = 0.57, p = 0.04), soleus physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA-IAAF r = 0.77, p < 0.01, CI± 0.28 to 0.94), Achilles tendon thickness (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), and soleus muscle-to-tendon ratio (r = 0.68, p = 0.03). None of the gastrocnemius characteristics were associated with marathon performance. We concluded that a larger soleus muscle with a thicker Achilles tendon is associated with better marathon performance. Based on these results, it can be concluded the morphological characteristics of the lower leg muscle–tendon unit correlate with running performance.

Concurrent complex and endurance training for recreational marathon runners: Effects on neuromuscular and running performance

Marathon performance is influenced by factors such as aerobic capacity and those related to neuromuscular function. Complex training (CPX) is a multicomponent training method, wherein heavy strength and plyometric exercises alternate within a single session and is an effective method to improve neuromuscular adaptations. This study compared the effects of CPX, heavy strength training (HST) and endurance-strength (EST) combined with running endurance training on neuromuscular adaptations and running performance in 38 recreational marathoners (age:31.4 ± 3.8 years, VO2max:57.6 ± 6.8 ml·kg−1·min−1). Athletes were allocated in 3 groups: CPX, HST and EST and were tested for one maximum repetition strength (1RM), squat jump and countermovement jumps (SJ, CMJ), leg press (LP) concentric and eccentric strength, running economy (RE) and velocity at VO2max (vVO2max) before and after the 6-week intervention. CPX and HST were performed 2 times per week in conjunction with the running endurance training. RE and vVO2max improved in CPX and HST groups (p < 0.01, RE: −5% to −6.4%, vVO2max: 5.7% and 4.2%, respectively) with no change in EST. Similarly, all neuromuscular performance indicators improved in CPX and HST (p < 0.0167, 1RM strength:19.7% to 25.1%, SJ and CMJ: 5.3% to 11.6%, LP concentric and eccentric strength: 5.5% to 18.0%). In summary, 6-week of concurrent CPX or HST and endurance training resulted in similar improvement in maximum strength, RE, and vVO2max. Importantly, both CPX and HST training resulted in greater improvements in eccentric strength and RE compared to EST that performed concurrent endurance-strength and endurance training.

THICKNESS AND CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE ACHILLES TENDON IN MARATHON RUNNERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study aimed to measure thickness and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon (AT), and the range of motion of the ankle joint in dorsiflexion of amateur marathon runners compared to non-active people. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between cross-sectional area and thickness of the Achilles tendon in marathon runners and age, anthropometric characteristics (height and body mass), training habits, running experience, marathon performance, and range of motion in the ankle joint. Methods: Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional area were measured using ultrasound images of the left leg in 97 male amateur marathon runners (age 42.0 ± 9.6 years; height 175 ± 6 cm; and body mass 73.7 ± 8.6 kg), and 47 controls (39.9 ± 11.6 years; 176 ± 7 cm; 79.6 ± 16.1 kg). Results: Achilles tendon thickness (4.81 ± 0.77 vs. 4.60 ± 0.66 mm; p = 0.01) and cross-sectional area (60.41 ± 14.36 vs. 53.62 ± 9.90 mm2; p &lt; 0.01) were greater in the marathon runners than in non-active people. Achilles tendon thickness has been correlated, in a weak but significant manner, with years of running experience. Moreover, marathon runners showed increased ankle range of motion (81.81 ± 6.93 vs. 77.86 ± 7.27 grades; p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Male amateur marathon runners have hypertrophy of the Achilles tendon compared to non-active people, and this enlargement is mediated by running experience. In addition, range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion is favored by marathon training. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.

THE VALUE OF TREADMILL EXERCISE TEST PARAMETERS TO PREDICT THE MARATHON PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG AND MIDDLE-AGED RECREATIONAL ATHLETES IN CHINA

Objectives: This study will evaluate the results of parameters measured during a treadmill exercise test to predict marathon performances. Methods: We studied 171 Chinese recreational athletes who participated in marathons or half-marathons (42.2[Formula: see text]k or 21.1[Formula: see text]k, respectively) between October 2016 and December 2017. The participants completed a survey that included questions about demographics and training, and they underwent a treadmill exercise test according to the Bruce protocol. The number of years in training, mean weekly hours of training, mean weekly training volume, and performance time in subsequent marathon events were recorded and analyzed in this study. Results: The total exercise times achieved on the treadmill test were significantly longer for men compared to women ([Formula: see text]). The performance times in the half-marathons were significantly shorter for men compared to women ([Formula: see text]). Training volume was the only independent predictor of total exercise time on the treadmill and performance time in marathons and half-marathons (all [Formula: see text]). The value of the total exercise time on the treadmill to predict performance times in half-marathons ([Formula: see text]) was superior to full marathons ([Formula: see text]) and significantly better in study subjects aged 30–39 years ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) and 40–49 years ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) compared to study subjects aged 20–29 years and 50–59 years. The percentage of decrease in the maximal heart rate (MHR) at the end of one minute of recovery time was negatively correlated with performance times in marathons. Conclusions: The total exercise time achieved during an exhaustive treadmill exercise test and percentage of decrease in the MHR at the end of one minute of recovery time are accessible parameters that can help athletes manage their expectations and adjust their training plans. A large study that includes additional countries is needed to confirm the value of treadmill exercise test results for predicting marathon performance.

Influence of the Menstrual Cycle Phase on Marathon Performance in Recreational Runners

To examine the potential impact of fluctuations in sex steroid hormones across the menstrual cycle (MC) on marathon running performance of recreational female athletes. A survey questionnaire was administered to recreational, nonelite runners who had completed multiple marathons within the last 18 months. A total of 599 questionnaires were returned and deemed viable for review. From these, 185 survey participants were found to have complete information and eligibility to have their surveys used in the statistical analysis. A total of 106 women had their best marathon performance in the luteal phase (high sex steroid hormones) of the MC, and 79 had their best performance in the follicular phase (low sex steroid hormones) of the MC (responses were significantly different; z-score value = 1.11; P < .05). Recreational female runners have varying performances in the marathon across their MC phases, specifically performing better in the luteal phase of the cycle.

Footstrike pattern at the 10 km and 39 km points of the Singapore marathon in recreational runners

The prevalence of rearfoot striking is ∼60% in elite marathoners, but ∼90% in North American and European recreational marathoners. Recent data indicate that this prevalence is ∼70% in Asian recreational marathoners. How this prevalence changes throughout the course of a marathon remains undocumented. We filmed 350 runners at the 10 km and 39 km marks of the Singapore marathon (∼71% Asian field), and classified footstrike patterns in 347 and 327 runners at these locations. The prevalence of rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and asymmetric patterns was 65%, 21%, 33%, and 11% at 10 km, which differed significantly from the corresponding 77%, 15%, 1%, and 8% at 39 km (p < 0.01). The prevalence of non-rearfoot strikers at both filming locations was greater than reported in the literature for North American recreational marathoners (p < 0.01), but lower than reported for non-Asian elite marathoners (p ≤ 0.02). The 12% increase in rearfoot strikers at the later mark of the marathon in our Asian cohort of recreational runners was greater than the 5% increase reported for the North American-based cohort (p < 0.01), but comparable to the one reported for non-Asian elite runners (p = 0.97). Our findings confirm previous conclusions that running research should consider and report ethnicity alongside performance standards given that both can (in part) explain biomechanical differences in running gait. Noteworthy is that numerous factors can influence marathon performance and fatigue that here remained unaccounted for, including age, sex, course profile, footwear, and environmental conditions.