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Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Running pace decrease during a marathon is positively related to blood markers of muscle damage.
Juan Del Coso1, David Fernández de Velasco, David Fernández
1Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain. jdelcoso@ucjc.edu
Plos One
|March 6, 2013
Summary
Marathon running fatigue is linked to increased muscle breakdown markers. Greater pace reduction correlated with higher levels of myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase post-race.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Marathon running is a demanding activity with unclear causes of fatigue.
- Understanding fatigue mechanisms is crucial for improving endurance performance and athlete health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of running fatigue in warm weather marathon conditions.
- To identify physiological markers associated with significant pace reduction during a marathon.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 40 amateur runners for a marathon study in 27°C and 27% humidity.
- Measured pre- and post-race body core temperature, body mass, leg muscle power, and blood markers.
- Assessed running fatigue by calculating pace reduction from the first 5-km to the race end.
Main Results:
- Runners significantly reduced pace from 3.5 m/s to 2.9 m/s (P<0.05).
- Higher pace reduction (>15%) correlated with elevated post-race myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase.
- No significant differences were found in body mass change or post-race body temperature between groups.
Conclusions:
- Running pace decline in marathons is associated with markers of muscle breakdown.
- Further research is needed to determine if muscle damage is linked to mechanistic or metabolic factors in marathon fatigue.
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