In this overview, we summarize the findings of the literature with regards to physiology and pathophysiology of ultra-marathon running. The number of ultra-marathon races and the number of official ...finishers considerably increased in the last decades especially due to the increased number of female and age-group runners. A typical ultra-marathoner is male, married, well-educated, and ~45 years old. Female ultra-marathoners account for ~20% of the total number of finishers. Ultra-marathoners are older and have a larger weekly training volume, but run more slowly during training compared to marathoners. Previous experience (e.g., number of finishes in ultra-marathon races and personal best marathon time) is the most important predictor variable for a successful ultra-marathon performance followed by specific anthropometric (e.g., low body mass index, BMI, and low body fat) and training (e.g., high volume and running speed during training) characteristics. Women are slower than men, but the sex difference in performance decreased in recent years to ~10-20% depending upon the length of the ultra-marathon. The fastest ultra-marathon race times are generally achieved at the age of 35-45 years or older for both women and men, and the age of peak performance increases with increasing race distance or duration. An ultra-marathon leads to an energy deficit resulting in a reduction of both body fat and skeletal muscle mass. An ultra-marathon in combination with other risk factors, such as extreme weather conditions (either heat or cold) or the country where the race is held, can lead to exercise-associated hyponatremia. An ultra-marathon can also lead to changes in biomarkers indicating a pathological process in specific organs or organ systems such as skeletal muscles, heart, liver, kidney, immune and endocrine system. These changes are usually temporary, depending on intensity and duration of the performance, and usually normalize after the race. In longer ultra-marathons, ~50-60% of the participants experience musculoskeletal problems. The most common injuries in ultra-marathoners involve the lower limb, such as the ankle and the knee. An ultra-marathon can lead to an increase in creatine-kinase to values of 100,000-200,000 U/l depending upon the fitness level of the athlete and the length of the race. Furthermore, an ultra-marathon can lead to changes in the heart as shown by changes in cardiac biomarkers, electro- and echocardiography. Ultra-marathoners often suffer from digestive problems and gastrointestinal bleeding after an ultra-marathon is not uncommon. Liver enzymes can also considerably increase during an ultra-marathon. An ultra-marathon often leads to a temporary reduction in renal function. Ultra-marathoners often suffer from upper respiratory infections after an ultra-marathon. Considering the increased number of participants in ultra-marathons, the findings of the present review would have practical applications for a large number of sports scientists and sports medicine practitioners working in this field.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people's general health and quality ...of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age.
A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information's was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising.
The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (3.5 ± 0.8) was lower than that the adopted prior to the pandemic period (2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active.
The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.
Nikolaidis, PT and Knechtle, B. Performance in 100-km ultramarathoners-At which age, it reaches its peak? J Strength Cond Res 34(5): 1409-1415, 2020-The number of those participating in 100-km ...ultramarathon has increased over the past years; however, we have limited knowledge about performance trends in this sport, and particularly, the effect of age. The aim of this study was to analyze the age when women and men runners achieve their peak performance considering 1- and 5-year age group intervals, and examining all or the fastest (i.e., top 10) participants in each age group. We analyzed 370,051 athletes (i.e., 44,601 women and 325,450 men) who finished a 100-km ultramarathon between 1959 and 2016, and studied the age of peak performance using a second-order nonlinear regression analysis. The age of peak performance was 40-44 years in women and 45-49 years in men when all finishers were analyzed, whereas it was 30-34 years in women and 35-39 years in men when the top 10 finishers were considered in 5-year age groups. When we analyzed finishers in 1-year age groups, we found the age of peak performance at 41 years in women and 45 years in men considering all finishers, and at 39 years in women and 41 years in men considering the top 10 finishers. In conclusion, the age of peak performance was younger in women than in men, which might reflect the overall younger age of women participants than men. Compared with previous studies, we observed the peak performance at an age older by ∼10 years, which could be attributed to an increase of finishers' age across calendar years. Because the knowledge of the age of peak performance is unique for each sport, coaches and fitness trainers might benefit from the findings of this study in the long-term training of their athletes.
Nikolaidis, PT and Knechtle, B. Do fast older runners pace differently from fast younger runners in the "New York City Marathon"? J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3423-3430, 2019-Although pacing ...strategies in the marathon and generally in endurance running have been well studied with regard to the effects of age group and performance level, little is known for their interaction. Thus, the aim of this was to examine whether fast runners of different age differ for pacing. Finishers (women, n = 117,595; men, n = 180,487) in the "New York City" Marathon between 2006 and 2016 were analyzed in 5-year age groups. To examine the effect of performance, we created performance groups according to quartiles of average race speed (Q1-the fastest, Q2, Q3, and Q4-the slowest). A large main effect of split on race speed was observed in women and men with the fastest speed in the 5-10-km split and the slowest in the 35-40-km. Compared with the other performance groups, the slowest group had the largest percentage decrease in speed at 5, 10, 15, and 20 km but the largest percentage increase in speed at 35 and 40 km. The fastest group had the least decrease during the race and the least increase at 40 km. A trivial split × age group interaction on race speed was observed for all performance groups in both sexes. This interaction was more pronounced in Q4. Based on these findings, coaches should advise their slow master runners to adopt age-tailored pacing strategy, whereas their fast master runners should adopt similar pacing as the younger fast runners.
Athletes competing in ultra-endurance sports should manage nutritional issues, especially with regards to energy and fluid balance. An ultra-endurance race, considered a duration of at least 6 h, ...might induce the energy balance (i.e., energy deficit) in levels that could reach up to ~7000 kcal per day. Such a negative energy balance is a major health and performance concern as it leads to a decrease of both fat and skeletal muscle mass in events such as 24-h swimming, 6-day cycling or 17-day running. Sport anemia caused by heavy exercise and gastrointestinal discomfort, under hot or cold environmental conditions also needs to be considered as a major factor for health and performance in ultra-endurance sports. In addition, fluid losses from sweat can reach up to 2 L/h due to increased metabolic work during prolonged exercise and exercise under hot environments that might result in hypohydration. Athletes are at an increased risk for exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) and limb swelling when intake of fluids is greater than the volume lost. Optimal pre-race nutritional strategies should aim to increase fat utilization during exercise, and the consumption of fat-rich foods may be considered during the race, as well as carbohydrates, electrolytes, and fluid. Moreover, to reduce the risk of EAH, fluid intake should include sodium in the amounts of 10⁻25 mmol to reduce the risk of EAH and should be limited to 300⁻600 mL per hour of the race.
The aim of the present study was to examine the motivation of recreational runners and its variation by sex, age, and performance level. Finishers (female:
= 32, age 40.1 ± 9.0 years old, height 162 ...± 7 cm, body mass 57.7 ± 7.5 kg, race record 4:34 ± 0:39 h:min; male:
= 134, 44.2 ± 8.6 years, 176 ± 6 cm, 77.0 ± 9.3 kg, 4:02 ± 0:44 h:min) in the Athens Classic Marathon 2017 completed the Motivations of Marathoners Scales (MOMS) 56-item questionnaire. The highest scores in the MOMS were observed in the general health orientation and personal goal achievement categories, and the lowest in the recognition and competition areas. Female participants scored higher in coping, self-esteem, and goal achievement than their male counterparts (
< 0.05). The <30 age group scored higher than the 35-40 and 40-45 age groups in "competing with other runners" for male participants (
< 0.05). The average performance group outscored the slowest group in "achieving personal goals" and "competing with other runners" in female participants, whereas an effect of performance on these two themes was shown in male participants as well (
< 0.05). In summary, we partially confirmed that female and male marathon runners differ for their motivations. In addition, novel findings were the identification of age and performance level as correlates of motivations. The knowledge of these trends would be of great practical value for practitioners to optimize the motivation of their athletes.
The aim of the present study was to examine trends in participation, performance, age and nationality during a ~ 50-years period in the largest dataset ever studied in the "New York City Marathon". ...We analysed 1,174,331 finishers (women, n= 349,145, age 39.7 ± 8.7 years; men, n= 825,186, 41.7 ± 9.2 years). The overall participation increased across calendar years for all nationalities, and this increase was more pronounced in women, which resulted in a decreasing men-to-women ratio. Men were faster and older than women. Ethiopians and Kenyans were the fastest and youngest in women and men, respectively. Japanese were the slowest and Germans were the oldest in both sexes. Race time increased across years. Coaches and fitness trainers should be aware of these trends and should emphasize the development of training programs for older and slower runners.
Despite the increased scientific interest in the relationship between pacing and performance in marathon running, little information is available about the association of pacing with physiological ...and psychological parameters. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the role physical fitness and training characteristics on pacing in the 'Athens Classic Marathon.' Finishers in this race in 2017 (women,
= 26, age 40.8 ± 9.4 years; men,
= 130, age 44.1 ± 8.6 years) were analyzed for their pacing during the race, completed the Motivation of Marathon Scale (MOMS) and performed a series of physiological tests. Women and faster recreational runners adopted a more even pacing. A more even pacing was related with a higher aerobic capacity and lower muscle strength in men, but not in women. Men with more even pacing scored higher in psychological coping, self-esteem, life meaning, recognition and competition than their counterparts with less even pacing. Considering the increasing number of participants in marathon races, these findings might help a wide range of professionals (fitness trainers, physiologists, and psychologists) working with runners to optimize the pacing of their athletes.
Cold Water Swimming-Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review Knechtle, Beat; Waśkiewicz, Zbigniew; Sousa, Caio Victor ...
International journal of environmental research and public health,
12/2020, Letnik:
17, Številka:
23
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Cold water swimming (winter or ice swimming) has a long tradition in northern countries. Until a few years ago, ice swimming was practiced by very few extreme athletes. For some years now, ice ...swimming has been held as competitions in ice-cold water (colder than 5 °C). The aim of this overview is to present the current status of benefits and risks for swimming in cold water. When cold water swimming is practiced by experienced people with good health in a regular, graded and adjusted mode, it appears to bring health benefits. However, there is a risk of death in unfamiliar people, either due to the initial neurogenic cold shock response or due to a progressive decrease in swimming efficiency or hypothermia.
While studies on large samples of recreational runners have often relied on participants’ self-reported height and body mass, the validity of these data have not been investigated for this ...population. Hence, this study sought to examine the validity of self-reported anthropometric measures among recreational marathon runners. Female (n = 32) and male (n = 135) recreational marathon runners were requested to estimate their body mass and height (and we calculated their self-reported body mass index BMI), after which we took actual measures of their body mass and height and calculated their actual BMI. Participants’ self-reported values underestimated their actual body mass by 0.65 kg (p < .001, η2 = 0.222) and their actual BMI by 0.35 kg ⋅ m−2 (p < .001, η2 = 0.245). There was a significant Assessment Method × Sex Interaction for both body mass (p = .019, η2 = 0.033) and BMI (p = .017, η2 = 0.034), as women underestimated body mass values more than men. Participants overestimated their height by 0.44 cm (p < .001, η2 = 0.075), but the interaction of sex and assessment method for height was not statistically significant. Underestimates of body mass correlated with marathon racing speed (r = .24, p = .006) and body fat percentage (r = −.29, p = .001) in men, but not in women (p > .05). The disagreement between self-reported and measured anthropometric data in the present sample was lower than has been previously reported for the general population, suggesting that marathon runners may more accurately self-perceive and/or report their anthropometric characteristics. These findings are of practical value for health professionals and researchers (e.g., nutritionists and exercise physiologists) questionnaires to recreational marathon runners.
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