Effects of marathon races on physical condition

Abstract

Marathon running performance closely related to the several physiological and performance variables such as maximal oxygen uptake, running economy, and peak velocity. It is well known that muscle damage has a negative impact on the physiological and performance variables. Thus, restarting training or participating in the race in a state where recovery is inadequate may cause injury and loss of race performance. The aims of this review article are to (1) summarize the previous studies that investigated effects of a marathon race on muscle damage and physiological and performance variables, (2) discuss the middle and long term effects of marathon races on physical condition, (3) suggest the practical strategy for some runners that participate in consecutive races within a short period.

Muscle Strength and Flexibility in Male Marathon Runners: The Role of Age, Running Speed and Anthropometry

“…Regarding physiological characteristics of marathon runners, the interplay of maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max ), running velocity at lactate threshold, and running economy have been well studied, and they are traditionally considered as the limiting factors for endurance running performance. However, other aspects such as muscle strength and flexibility have received less attention (Takayama and Nabekura, 2018; Takayama et al, 2018) despite their relevance to the above mentioned limiting factors. Even if flexibility and muscle strength were not direct determinants of running performance in marathoners, they are considered as core components of health-related physical fitness (Milanović et al, 2015), and the characterization of these physical aspects through age might help coaches and runners to improve their training programs for marathon competition.…”