Performance and Pacing of Age Groups in Half-Marathon and Marathon

Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis, Ivan Cuk, Thomas Rosemann and Beat Knechtle
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Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, 18450 Nikaia, Greece
Ivan Cuk: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Management, Singidunum University, 1100 Belgrade, Serbia
Thomas Rosemann: Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Beat Knechtle: Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the age-related differences in performance and pacing in a half-marathon compared to a marathon. All finishers ( n = 9137) in the Ljubljana 2017 half-marathon ( n = 7258) and marathon ( n = 1853) with available data on split times during the races, were analysed for pacing. Half-marathoners were slower than marathoners among women, (2.77 ± 0.35 versus 2.86 ± 0.39 m·s −1 respectively, p < 0.001), but faster among men (3.14 ± 0.45 versus 3.08 ± 0.46 m·s −1 respectively, p < 0.001). In both race distances, the <25 age group was the fastest and the >54 age group the slowest ( p < 0.001). All age groups presented a positive pacing in both race distances and genders, with each segment being slower than the previous one. However, an end spurt was observed in the marathon, but not in the half-marathon. A more even pace in the half-marathon than in the marathon was shown for most age groups. In summary, age-group finishers in the half-marathon decreased running speed across the race, presented a more even pacing than marathoners, and did not show an end spurt.

Keywords: aging; endurance; gender; master athlete; performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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