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No physiological reasoning was provided by the authors for these relationships, however.Īlthough it is accepted that maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max), velocity at lactate threshold (vLT), running economy (RE) and fractional utilization (FU) of VO 2max are crucial factors determining endurance performance ( 18, 35, 36), only three studies have been dedicated to the characterization of these physiological parameters on ultra-running performance. For example, recent studies have shown that anthropometric variables such as body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI) and girth of the upper arm were indirectly associated with finishing time in a 100-km ultra-marathon ( 22), while in another study body fat percentage (BF%) was shown to have a significant negative correlation to 161-km race performance ( 14). In endurance running, an excess of adipose tissue and body weight usually require a greater muscular effort to accelerate the legs, and in theory, the energy expenditure at the same velocity would be greater. Until recently, there have been no data in the literature on the potential association between physiological or training parameters and race performance in ultra-runners competing in distances longer than 90 km ( 22, 29). Similarly, the relationship between these variables and actual ultra-marathon performance is also unclear. The limited research on the physiological profiling of ultra-runners tends to focus on small sample groups of elite athletes and is dated decades prior to the current growth in popularity of ultra-endurance racing ( 5, 30).
#VLT2 TASK3 FULL#
Both can occur on a mostly flat road or over various terrain trails.Īlthough physiological, anthropometric and training characteristics of endurance runners ranging from middle to marathon distance of varying participation levels have been widely reported in the scientific literature ( 1, 3), limited work has been done to capture the data of ultra-runners, especially across the full spectrum of the ultra-running community and not just the fastest. Marathon Des Sables or Four Deserts Race). Western States 100 miles or Comrades Marathon) and multistage (e.g. There are two types of ultra-marathon events: single-stage (e.g. While there is no consensus on the definition of an ultra-marathon, it is usually regarded as a distance longer than the classic marathon distance of 42.195 km ( 20). Current trends in endurance running participation now include much longer athletic events or ultra-marathons. Running is a popular sports discipline that can be performed over many distances. Runners should not neglect the importance of the long runs and should incorporate cross-training to provide additional stimuli to the body while allowing the running muscles to recover from fatigue. The results suggest that from a physiological perspective, the ability to finish a 161-km race might be differentiated by metabolic attributes via LT measurements. Effect size calculations showed moderate and clear differences in the lactate concentration at LT1 (ES = 0.88, P = 0.05), velocity at LT2 (ES = 0.70, P = 0.07), longest run attempted (ES = 0.73, P = 0.07) and number of cross-training hours (ES = 0.73, P = 0.06) between the FIN and N-FIN. Sum of 7 skinfolds, arm and calf girths, VO2max and peak treadmill speed (PTS) were taken during session 1 while the lactate threshold (LT) and running economy (RE) were assessed during session 2. Training sessions starting from six weeks prior to the race were recorded.
#VLT2 TASK3 SERIES#
Two groups of runners (FIN N=12 and N-FIN N=14) completed a series of anthropometric and physiological measurements over two separate sessions at least three weeks prior to the race. This study aimed to compare and determine the differences in the physiological, anthropometric and training characteristics of the finishers (FIN) and non-finishers (N-FIN) in a 161-km race.
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