Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
08:26
Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Performance trends in 161-km ultramarathons.
1Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA. martin.hoffman@va.gov
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|December 24, 2009
Summary
Performance trends in 100-mile ultramarathons show increased participation but plateaued finish rates around 60%. Fastest runners
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Endurance Sports Research
- Running Performance Analysis
Background:
- Analysis of performance trends in 100-mile ultramarathon running competitions in North America.
- Retrospective review of race results from 1977 through 2008.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze performance-related trends in 100-mile ultramarathon running.
- To investigate changes in finish rates, fastest times, and relative performance between sexes over time.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of results from 1977-2008.
- Statistical examination of finish rates, age-group performance, and sex-based time differences.
Main Results:
- Annual finish rates increased and plateaued near 60% by the early 1990s.
- Fastest male runners were in the 30-39 age group; fastest female runners were in the 40-49 age group.
- Women's finish times improved relative to men through the 1980s but stabilized thereafter; fastest women remained ~20% slower than fastest men.
Conclusions:
- Increasing participation in 161-km ultramarathons has not correlated with improved overall performance or depth of competition.
- Relative improvements in women's finish times compared to men were observed through the 1980s but did not continue.
- Performance depth, indicated by the time difference between first and fifth place, has remained more consistent for men than women.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Construction 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...
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...
01:12Run Charts
Run charts serve as an essential instrument for visualizing the performance of various processes over time, enabling the identification of trends and patterns crucial for quality improvement. These charts map out a series of data points chronologically, offering insights into the stability and efficiency of a process. A run chart's creation involves plotting data points on a graph, with the time intervals on the horizontal axis and the specific measurements on the vertical axis. For example,...
01:25Interpreting Run Charts
Run charts, essentially line graphs plotted over time, serve as fundamental yet effective tools for process analysis. They chronicle data sequentially, facilitating the identification of trends, shifts, or cyclical movements. This graphical representation is instrumental in determining whether a process is stable or exhibits signs of potential instability indicative of special cause variation. In the healthcare domain, run charts depict infection rates over time, enabling hospitals to monitor...