Why does a marathon runner need muscular endurance

A multiple stepwise regression was run to predict race speed from anthropometric and neuromuscular variables. In addition, a multivariate analysis of covariance MANCOVA was performed with muscle strength absolute and relative overall muscle strength , flexibility and jumping ability SJ and CMJ as the dependent variables, age group as the fixed factor, and race speed the covariate. Table 1 depicts information about the values in all testing protocols as a whole group, including ranges.

Briefly, SAR was Percentile norms are presented in Table 2. Neuromuscular fitness by age group. SAR, sit-and-reach test; SJ, squat jump; CMJ, countermovement jump; HG, handgrip muscle strength; absolute and relative sum referred to the sum of four measures of isometric muscle strength right and left HG, lifting with extended and bended knees tests ; error bars represented standard deviations; the dashed line showed the mean score of all participants.

Relationship of neuromuscular fitness with age. Relationship of flexibility, jumping ability and isometric muscle strength with body fat percentage, fat-free mass and total thigh muscle cross-sectional area. Model summary of stepwise regression to predict race speed from anthropometric and neuromuscular characteristics. The main findings of the present study were that a older age groups of recreational male marathon runners had lower SJ and CMJ than their younger counterparts, b no difference in SAR and absolute and relative isometric muscle strength was observed among age groups, c race speed correlated with relative isometric muscle strength, but not with the other neuromuscular measures, and d BF was negatively related to SJ, CMJ, and relative muscle strength.

The lower scores in SJ and CMJ in the older compared to the younger age groups, and the absence of difference in SAR and isometric muscle strength among age groups were in agreement with the correlation analysis that identified negative relationship of SJ and CMJ - and no relationship for SAR and isometric muscle strength - with age. A negative correlation of CMJ with age was previously observed in distance runners Michaelis et al. In addition, a comparison of jumping ability, as it was reflected in jumping disciplines of athletics, among age groups showed lower performance in the older age groups than their younger peers Kundert et al.

These findings together suggested a decline of SJ and CMJ with age, which should be attributed to a decline of muscle fiber type II area and fat-free mass with age Hawkins et al. An explanation of the absence of age-related differences for SAR and isometric muscle strength, or the observation of small differences in jump performance might also be a reflection of the relatively low neuromuscular fitness of participants Nikolaidis et al.

The moderate correlation of race speed with relative isometric muscle strength indicated that a fast marathon runner would be characterized by high muscle strength when the role of body mass was partitioned out.

It has been observed previously that fast marathon runners did not differ from their slower counterparts with regards to absolute isometric muscle strength, however, when their body mass was considered, the former runners had higher relative muscle strength than the latter ones Salinero et al.

Although the application of force in leg muscles during endurance running is far from its maximal expression, high levels of relative muscle strength might be useful for marathoners in order to reduce the exercise-induced muscle damage level developed during the race Del Coso et al.

The negative relationship of SJ and CMJ with BF was explained from the observation that an additional FM consisted extra load that muscle strength of lower limbs should overtake Gatterer et al. With regards to isometric muscle strength, the relationship of the absolute overall score with FFM medium magnitude and CSA small magnitude was in agreement with research demonstrating the association between muscle strength and muscle CSA Fink et al. Interestingly, this trend was reversed when overall muscle strength was expressed relative to body mass values, since muscle strength depended on both muscular and neurological properties McKay et al.

This finding highlighted the need to assess and interpret muscle strength values in both absolute and relative to body mass values Heyward and Gibson, A limitation of the present study was the assessment methods of neuromuscular fitness; although popular measures of flexibility SAR , muscle strength isometric dynamometry , and jumping ability SJ and CMJ were used, caution would be needed in the consideration of methodological details to compare the findings with previous research.

For instance, 8. Thus, to have comparable data, 15 cm should be added to the data of Jones Moreover, it was acknowledged that the existence of age groups with unequal sample sizes most participants were in the 40—45 age group, and their number was decreasing in the younger and older groups might be subjected to criticism from a statistical point of view.

It should be highlighted that the existence of unequal sample sizes in age groups of marathon runners was ecologically valid, since it was representative of the variation in the participation rates by age group in marathon races. For instance, most male marathon runners were in the 40—44 age group in the New York City Marathon Nikolaidis et al. Therefore, it might be assumed that neuromuscular characteristics of participants in the present study would be similar both in the exercise testing session and in the date of race.

On the other hand, the measurement of several strength variables is one of the novelties of this investigation, since it was the first study - to the best of our knowledge - presenting data on a complete battery of neuromuscular fitness tests in a large sample of marathon runners through a large age range. For practical applications, coaches and fitness trainers working with marathon runners might benefit from the novel data presented during the training and testing of their athletes.

Although these parameters - except relative strength - did not relate to marathon performance, they were components of health-related physical fitness.

Consequently, coaches and runners should consider exercises including stretching and strengthening in their weekly program to ensure adequate levels for all components of health-related physical fitness. PN performed the experiments and drafted the manuscript.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Front Physiol v. Front Physiol. Published online Oct Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland Find articles by Beat Knechtle. Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer.

Gallen, Switzerland. This article was submitted to Exercise Physiology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Physiology.

Received Jul 2; Accepted Sep The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author s and the copyright owner s are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice.

No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Associated Data Data Availability Statement The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author. Abstract Most studies on marathon runners have focused on physiological parameters determining performance, whereas neuromuscular aspects, such as muscle strength and flexibility, have received less attention.

Keywords: aging, isometric muscle strength, race speed, range of motion, athlete. Introduction The number of annual marathon races and finishers has increased during the last few decades Vitti et al. Materials and Methods Study Design and Participants A cross-sectional study design was adopted in the present study. Equipment and Protocols Chronological age was estimated by a table of decimals of year accuracy 0.

Results Table 1 depicts information about the values in all testing protocols as a whole group, including ranges. Although the application of force in leg muscles during endurance running is far from its maximal expression, high levels of relative muscle strength might be useful for marathoners in order to reduce the exercise-induced muscle damage level developed during the race Del Coso et al.

The negative relationship of SJ and CMJ with BF was explained from the observation that an additional FM consisted extra load that muscle strength of lower limbs should overtake Gatterer et al.

With regards to isometric muscle strength, the relationship of the absolute overall score with FFM medium magnitude and CSA small magnitude was in agreement with research demonstrating the association between muscle strength and muscle CSA Fink et al. Interestingly, this trend was reversed when overall muscle strength was expressed relative to body mass values, since muscle strength depended on both muscular and neurological properties McKay et al.

This finding highlighted the need to assess and interpret muscle strength values in both absolute and relative to body mass values Heyward and Gibson, A limitation of the present study was the assessment methods of neuromuscular fitness; although popular measures of flexibility SAR , muscle strength isometric dynamometry , and jumping ability SJ and CMJ were used, caution would be needed in the consideration of methodological details to compare the findings with previous research.

For instance, 8. Thus, to have comparable data, 15 cm should be added to the data of Jones Moreover, it was acknowledged that the existence of age groups with unequal sample sizes most participants were in the 40—45 age group, and their number was decreasing in the younger and older groups might be subjected to criticism from a statistical point of view.

It should be highlighted that the existence of unequal sample sizes in age groups of marathon runners was ecologically valid, since it was representative of the variation in the participation rates by age group in marathon races. For instance, most male marathon runners were in the 40—44 age group in the New York City Marathon Nikolaidis et al.

Therefore, it might be assumed that neuromuscular characteristics of participants in the present study would be similar both in the exercise testing session and in the date of race. On the other hand, the measurement of several strength variables is one of the novelties of this investigation, since it was the first study - to the best of our knowledge - presenting data on a complete battery of neuromuscular fitness tests in a large sample of marathon runners through a large age range.

For practical applications, coaches and fitness trainers working with marathon runners might benefit from the novel data presented during the training and testing of their athletes. Although these parameters - except relative strength - did not relate to marathon performance, they were components of health-related physical fitness.

Consequently, coaches and runners should consider exercises including stretching and strengthening in their weekly program to ensure adequate levels for all components of health-related physical fitness. The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author. PN performed the experiments and drafted the manuscript. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Eston, R. London: Routledge. Fink, J. Acute and long-term responses to different rest intervals in low-load resistance training. Gatterer, H. Race performance and exercise intensity of male amateur mountain runners during a multistage mountain marathon competition are not dependent on muscle strength loss or cardiorespiratory fitness. Strength Cond.

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Hawkins, S. Exercise and the master athlete—a model of successful aging? A Biol. Heyward, V. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Longer distance runner eg. As you run, the force of about 3 times your body weight is placed through each leg.

Having the muscular strength and stability to absorb that force each step will minimize the load through your joints and reduce your risk of pain or injury.

Check out our post on How to Treat and Prevent Runners Knee if you experience knee pain from running. Strength training is a great way to improve muscle activation and recruitment. Strengthening muscles in isolation, progressing to multi-joint and running-specific exercise can retrain muscle recruitment patterns and make sure all the right muscles are contributing to your run.

Biomechanics is a fancy term for how you produce movement. Strengthening the muscles that support your body in ideal alignment while running can improve your biomechanics and result in more efficient use of energy. In other words, improving your movement patterns means less wasted energy and faster running! Ever been overtaken by a runner old enough to be your grandparent?

Older adult runners who have reduced muscle mass are potentially more at risk of joint and soft tissue injuries.