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Age-related changes in 100-km ultra-marathon running performance
Beat Knechtle1, Christoph Alexander Rüst, Thomas Rosemann
1Facharzt FMH für Allgemeinmedizin, Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, Vadianstrasse 26, St. Gallen, Switzerland. beat.knechtle@hispeed.ch
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|July 29, 2011
Summary
Participation in the 100-km Lauf Biel race increased in older age groups, while top male finishers slowed down. Performance declines with age were similar until 65, then steeper for females.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
- Gerontology
Background:
- Ultra-marathon running is a demanding athletic pursuit.
- Understanding participation and performance trends in long-distance running is crucial for sports science.
- Age-related changes in athletic performance are a key area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze participation and performance trends in the 100-km Lauf Biel race from 1998 to 2010.
- To compare age-related changes in 100-km running performance between male and female ultra-marathoners.
- To identify optimal age ranges for peak 100-km running performance.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of participation data from the 100-km Lauf Biel race (1998-2010).
- Comparison of age-group finisher percentages and top-ten finisher performance metrics (age, time).
- Analysis of age-related performance decline in male and female runners.
Main Results:
- Finisher percentages increased in older age groups (40-59 years) and decreased in younger groups (18-39 years).
- The mean age of top finishers increased annually for both sexes.
- Male top finishers' times significantly worsened annually, while female top finishers' times remained stable.
- Peak performance occurred between 30-49 years for males and 30-54 years for females.
- Age-related performance decline was similar until 65 years, then greater for females.
Conclusions:
- Ultra-marathon participation is shifting towards older age groups.
- While male ultra-marathoners are aging and slowing, female performance has remained stable.
- Further research into the 65-75 age range is needed to understand sex-based differences in master ultra-marathoners.
