Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare anthropometric, body composition and physiological parameters in middle-and long-distance runners of the same performance level and to identify variables that could predict the probability of being either a middle-or a long-distance runner.National-level middledistance (n=20, body mass M=70.5, SD=6.3 kg, body height M=1.80, SD=0.04 m,) and long-distance (n=20, body mass M=69.0,SD=4.5 kg, body height M=1.81, SD=0.05 m) runners performed an incremental test on a treadmill.Anthropometric and body composition parameters were measured and different body length and mass ratios were calculated.Middle-and long-distance runners did not differ (p>.05) in their leg mass, length proportions, in their measured anthropometric or body composition parameters, except for the lower leg length.Performance in middle-distance runners was best described by the lower leg to upper leg mass ratio (Adj R 2 =.41; p<.05) and the second ventilatory threshold time (Adj R 2 =.33; p<.05), while the performance in long-distance runners was best described by the total time on a treadmill (Adj R 2 =.36; p<.05).The constructed model showed that VO 2max time (OR=1.01,95% CI 1.001-1.012)and age (OR=1.57;95% CI 1.065-2.310)classified middle-and long-distance runners in their specialties.In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate the relevance of specific anthropometric parameters in predicting middle-but not long-distance running performance.
Institution: University of Tartu
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1126923810