Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Construction of Frequency Distribution01:15

Construction of Frequency Distribution

A frequency distribution table can be constructed using the steps given below.
First, make a table with two columns—one with the title of the data that needs to be organized, and the other column for frequency. [Draw a third column for tally marks if needed]. Then, take a look at the items given in the data set and decide if an ungrouped frequency distribution table or a grouped frequency distribution table would be more suitable. If there are large sets of different values, then it is best to...
Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Exercise and Muscle Performance01:27

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Aging01:26

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Multi-Omic, Multi-Tissue Responses to Acute Exercise in Sedentary Adults: Findings from the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Multi-omic responses to acute exercise in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of sedentary adults: findings from MoTrPAC.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Integrative Multi-omics Analysis of the Human Skeletal Muscle Response to Endurance or Resistance Exercise: Findings from the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC).

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC): Initial Insights into the Dynamic Human Responses to Exercise.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Exercise modulation of the alternative splicing landscape in human tissues.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Muscle-specific atrophy of the lower limb musculature in response to simulated microgravity exposure in women.

Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
08:26

Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running

Published on: July 17, 2020

Marathon runners: how do they age?

Scott Trappe1

  • 1Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, USA. strappe@bsu.edu

Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|May 1, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Marathon performance peaks between ages 25-35, gradually declining thereafter. Continued running training throughout life helps maintain physiological function and running performance, offering significant health benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Exercise physiology
  • Gerontology
  • Sports science

Background:

  • Marathon running performance is optimal between 25-35 years old, with performance declining with advanced age.
  • Physiological changes with aging include decreased cardiovascular capacity and alterations in skeletal muscle function.
  • The rate of decline in cardiovascular capacity varies with training level.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the age-related changes in marathon running performance.
  • To investigate the impact of training level on age-related physiological decline.
  • To understand the role of skeletal muscle changes in veteran runners' performance.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of marathon world record performances across different age groups.
  • Review of studies on age-related decline in cardiovascular capacity in runners of varying training levels.

More Related Videos

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice
09:19

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice

Published on: February 2, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
08:26

Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running

Published on: July 17, 2020

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice
09:19

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice

Published on: February 2, 2019

  • Examination of skeletal muscle characteristics in middle-aged and veteran runners.

    • Main Results:

    • Marathon performance peaks in young adulthood and declines with age, with significant drops after 70.
    • Cardiovascular capacity declines at different rates: 0.5% per decade for highly trained, 1.0% for moderately trained, and 1.5% for untrained individuals.
    • Veteran runners exhibit preserved aerobic potential in skeletal muscle, despite reduced cell size and contractile function.

    Conclusions:

    • Age-related declines in marathon performance are linked to physiological changes, particularly in cardiovascular capacity and skeletal muscle.
    • Continued running training attenuates age-related physiological decline and supports long-term running performance.
    • Regular running in later life is beneficial for maintaining physiological function and overall health.