Predictor variables for half marathon race time in recreational female runners

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:The relationship between skin-fold thickness and running performance has been investigated from 100 m to the marathon distance, except the half marathon distance.OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether anthropometry characteristics or training practices were related to race time in 42 recreational female half marathoners to determine the predictor variables of half-marathon race time and to inform future novice female half marathoners.METHODS:Observational field study at the ‘Half Marathon Basel’ in Switzerland.RESULTS:In the bivariate analysis, body mass (r = 0.60), body mass index (r = 0.48), body fat (r = 0.56), skin-fold at pectoral (r = 0.61), mid-axilla (r = 0.69), triceps (r = 0.49), subscapular (r = 0.61), abdominal (r = 0.59), suprailiac (r = 0.55) medial calf (r = 0.53) site, and speed of the training sessions (r = -0.68) correlated to race time. Mid-axilla skin-fold (p = 0.04) and speed of the training sessions (p = 0.0001) remained significant after multi-variate analysis. Race time in a half marathon might be predicted by the following equation (r2 = 0.71): Race time (min) = 166.7 + 1.7x (mid-axilla skin-fold, mm) - 6.4x (speed in training, km/h). Running speed during training was related to skin-fold thickness at mid-axilla (r = -0.31), subscapular (r = -0.38), abdominal (r = -0.44), suprailiacal (r = -0.41), the sum of eight skin-folds (r = -0.36) and percent body fat (r = -0.31).CONCLUSION:Anthropometric and training variables were related to half-marathon race time in recreational female runners. Skin-fold thicknesses at various upper body locations were related to training intensity. High running speed in training appears to be important for fast half-marathon race times and may reduce upper body skin-fold thicknesses in recreational female half marathoners.

 Running speed during training and percent body fat predict race time in recreational male marathoners

“…Frequency, intensity, and volume of training seem to be of great importance 10,11,13,20. Tanda described a strong correlation between training volume and intensity during an eight-week training period and marathon performance 25.…”

“…Successful marathon and half-marathon running requires regular training and an appropriate lifestyle in both elite and recreational runners 13,27,32–34. Frequency, intensity, and volume of training seem to be of great importance 10,11,13,20.…”

Estimation Bias: Body Mass and Body Height in Endurance Athletes

“…In recent years, several studies investigated the association between anthropometric characteristics and performance in endurance athletes (Aagaard, Sahlen, & Braunschweig, 2012;Arrese & Ostáriz, 2006;Bale, Bradbury, & Colley, 1986;Hagan, Upton, Duncan, & Gettman, 1987;Hoffman, 2008;Hoffman & Fogard, 2011;Kenney & Hodgson, 1985;Knechtle, Duff, Welzel, & Kohler, 2009a;Knechtle et al, 2011a;Knechtle, Knechtle, Barandun, Rosemann, & Lepers, 2011b). Different anthropometric characteristics showed a significant relationship with endurance performance, although the correlations between them and performance were consistently quite small, ranging from under r = .04 to an upper bound of r = .52, that is, from essential zero to 11% of the variance in performance.…”

Fatores Associados Ao Desempenho Em Uma Corrida De 10.000 Metros Em Corredores Amadores

“…Eston et al 39 confirmou que as menores dobras de adiposidade foram altamente correlacionadas com a porcentagem de gordura corporal em jovens corredores amadores 39 . Contudo, não podemos deixar de considerar que outros fatores, como características fisiológicas (por exemplo, consumo máximo de oxigênio), nutrição, genética e estilo de vida, podem ter uma influência adicional no desempenho em corredores de longa distância 14,40,41 . Potenciais limitações deste estudo devem ser consideradas.…”