Physical Performance in Middle Age and Old Age

Leyk, Dieter; Rüther, Thomas; Wunderlich, M; Sievert, Alexander; Essfeld, D; Witzki, Alexander; Erley, Oliver Maria; Küchmeister, Gerd; Piekarski, Claus; Löllgen, Herbert

doi:10.3238/arztebl.2010.0809

Cited by 38 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Therefore, all physiological parameters discussed earlier would not impact running performance in ultra-marathon distances as suggested by other authors [1,40-43]. Leyk et al [54] found performance losses in middle age mainly to be due to a sedentary lifestyle, rather than biological aging. They showed that decline in performance was not related to age until the age of 55 years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Master runners dominate 24-h ultramarathons worldwide—a retrospective data analysis from 1998 to 2011

et al. 2013

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BackgroundThe aims of the present study were to examine (a) participation and performance trends and (b) the age of peak running performance in master athletes competing in 24-h ultra-marathons held worldwide between 1998 and 2011.MethodsChanges in both running speed and the age of peak running speed in 24-h master ultra-marathoners (39,664 finishers, including 8,013 women and 31,651 men) were analyzed.ResultsThe number of 24-h ultra-marathoners increased for both women and men across years (P < 0.01). The age of the annual fastest woman decreased from 48 years in 1998 to 35 years in 2011. The age of peaking running speed remained unchanged across time at 42.5 ± 5.2 years for the annual fastest men (P > 0.05). The age of the annual top ten women decreased from 42.6 ± 5.9 years (1998) to 40.1 ± 7.0 years (2011) (P < 0.01). For the annual top ten men, the age of peak running speed remained unchanged at 42 ± 2 years (P > 0.05). Running speed remained unchanged over time at 11.4 ± 0.4 km h-1 for the annual fastest men and 10.0 ± 0.2 km/h for the annual fastest women, respectively (P > 0.05). For the annual ten fastest women, running speed increased over time by 3.2% from 9.3 ± 0.3 to 9.6 ± 0.3 km/h (P < 0.01). Running speed of the annual top ten men remained unchanged at 10.8 ± 0.3 km/h (P > 0.05). Women in age groups 25–29 (r2 = 0.61, P < 0.01), 30–34 (r2 = 0.48, P < 0.01), 35–39 (r2 = 0.42, P = 0.01), 40–44 (r2 = 0.46, P < 0.01), 55–59 (r2 = 0.41, P = 0.03), and 60–64 (r2 = 0.57, P < 0.01) improved running speed; while women in age groups 45–49 and 50–54 maintained running speed (P > 0.05). Men improved running speed in age groups 25–29 (r2 = 0.48, P = 0.02), 45–49 (r2 = 0.34, P = 0.03), 50–54 (r2 = 0.50, P < 0.01), 55–59 (r2 = 0.70, P < 0.01), and 60–64 (r2 = 0.44, P = 0.03); while runners in age groups 30–34, 35–39, and 40–44 maintained running speed (P > 0.05).ConclusionsFemale and male age group runners improved running speed. Runners aged >40 years achieved the fastest running speeds. By definition, runners aged >35 are master runners. The definition of master runners aged >35 years needs to be questioned for ultra-marathoners competing in 24-h ultra-marathons.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Master runners dominate 24-h ultramarathons worldwide—a retrospective data analysis from 1998 to 2011

et al. 2013

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“…Apart from marathon running in a city marathon, athletes can also compete in mountain marathons ( http://www.mountainrunning.com , http://www.wmra.info ). However, in contrast to city marathons (Jokl et al 2004 , Lepers and Cattagni 2012 , Leyk et al 2007 , 2009 , 2010 ) we have no data on the participation and performance trends in age group mountain marathoners. Since mountain running is of increasing popularity ( http://www.mountainrunning.com , http://www.wmra.info ), the aim of this study was to investigate participation and performance trends in age group marathoners competing in the ‘Jungfrau Marathon’ held in the Swiss Alps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Marathon running is of high popularity where marathon races are mainly held as city marathons in large cities (Jokl et al 2004 ; Lepers and Cattagni 2012 ; Leyk et al 2007 , 2009 , 2010 ). Participation and performance trends in elite and age group city marathoners are well investigated (Ahmadyar et al 2015 ; Anthony et al 2014 ; Aschmann et al 2013 ; Cribari et al 2013 , Jokl et al 2004 , Lepers and Cattagni 2012 ; Leyk et al 2007 , 2009 ), but very little is known for mountain marathoners (Zingg et al 2013 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increase in participation but decrease in performance in age group mountain marathoners in the ‘Jungfrau Marathon’: a Swiss phenomenon?

et al. 2015

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Participation and performance trends for age group marathoners have been investigated for large city marathons such as the ‘New York City Marathon’ but not for mountain marathons. This study investigated participation and trends in performance and sex difference in the mountain marathon ‘Jungfrau Marathon’ held in Switzerland from 2000 to 2014 using single and mixed effects regression analyses. Results were compared to a city marathon (Lausanne Marathon) also held in Switzerland during the same period. Sex difference was calculated using the equation ([race time in women] − [race time in men]/[race time in men] × 100). Changes in sex differences across calendar years and were investigated using linear regression models. In ‘Jungfrau Marathon’, participation in all female and male age groups increased with exception of women in age groups 18–24 and men in age groups 30–34, 40–44 and 60–64 years where participation remained unchanged. In ‘Lausanne Marathon’, participation increased in women in age groups 30–34 to 40–44 years. In men, participation increased in age groups 25–29 to 44–44 years and 50–54 years. In ‘Jungfrau Marathon’ runners became slower across years in age groups 18–24 to 70–74 years. In ‘Lausanne Marathon’, runners became slower across years in age groups 18–24 and 30–34 to 65–69 years, but not for 25–29, 70–74 and 75–79 years. In ‘Jungfrau Marathon’, sex difference increased in age groups 25–29 (from 4 to 10 %) and 60–64 years (from 3 to 8 %) but decreased in age group 40–44 years (from 12 to 6 %). In ‘Lausanne Marathon’, the sex difference showed no changes. In summary, participation increased in most female and male age groups but performance decreased in most age groups for both the mountain marathon ‘Jungfrau Marathon’ and the city marathon ‘Lausanne Marathon’. The sex differences were lower in the ‘Jungfrau Marathon’ (~6–7 %) compared to the ‘Lausanne Marathon’ where the sex difference was ~10–12 % from age groups 18–24 to 55–59 years. These unexpected findings might be a typical Swiss phenomenon. Future studies need to investigate whether this trend can also be found in other endurance sports events held in Switzerland and other mountain marathons held in other countries.

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“…It has been demonstrated that age [1-6], sex [2,4-7], training [2,4,8], anthropometry [2,4,8] and nationality [9] were crucial determining factors for long-distance running performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation and performance trends of East-African runners in Swiss half-marathons and marathons held between 2000 and 2010

Cribari

Rüst

Rosemann

et al. 2013

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil

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BackgroundThis study examined the changes in participation, performance and age of East African runners competing in half-marathons and marathons held in Switzerland between 2000 and 2010.MethodsRace times, sex, age and origin of East African versus Non-African finishers of half-marathon and marathon finishers were analyzed.ResultsAcross time, the number of Kenyan and Ethiopian finishers remained stable (P > 0.05) while the number of Non-African finishers increased for both women and men in both half-marathons and marathons (P < 0.05). In half-marathons, the top ten African women (71 ± 1.4 min) and top three (62.3 ± 0.6 min) and top ten (62.8 ± 0.4 min) African men were faster than their Non-African counterparts (P < 0.05). In marathons, however, there was no difference in race times between the top three African men (130.0 ± 0.0 min) and women (151.7 ± 2.5 min) compared to Non-African men (129.0 ± 1.0 min) and women (150.7 ± 1.2 min) (P > 0.05). In half-marathons and marathons was no difference in age between the best Non-African and the best African runners (P > 0.05).ConclusionsDuring the last decade in Switzerland, the participation of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners in half- and full- marathons remained stable. In marathons there was no difference in age and performance between the top African and the top Non-African runners. Regarding half-marathons, the top African runners were faster but not younger than the top Non-African runners. Future insight should be gained by comparing the present results with participation, performance and age trends for East African runners competing in marathons held in larger countries.

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Physical Performance in Middle Age and Old Age

Abstract: Performance losses in middle age are mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle, rather than biological aging. The large contingent of older "newcomers" among marathon runners demonstrates that, even at an advanced age, non-athletes can achieve high levels of performance through regular training.

Cited by 38 publications

References 19 publications

Master runners dominate 24-h ultramarathons worldwide—a retrospective data analysis from 1998 to 2011

Master runners dominate 24-h ultramarathons worldwide—a retrospective data analysis from 1998 to 2011

Increase in participation but decrease in performance in age group mountain marathoners in the ‘Jungfrau Marathon’: a Swiss phenomenon?

Participation and performance trends of East-African runners in Swiss half-marathons and marathons held between 2000 and 2010

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