One hundred marathons in 100 days: Unique biomechanical signature and the evolution of force characteristics and bone density.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An extraordinary long-term running performance may benefit from low dynamic loads and a high load-bearing tolerance. An extraordinary runner (age = 55 years, height = 1.81 m, mass = 92 kg) scheduled a marathon a day for 100 consecutive days. His running biomechanics and bone density were investigated to better understand successful long-term running in the master athlete.

Methods

Overground running gait analysis and bone densitometry were conducted before the marathon-a-day challenge and near its completion. The case's running biomechanics were compared pre-challenge to 31 runners who were matched by a similar foot strike pattern.

Results

The case's peak vertical loading rate (Δx̄ = -61.9 body weight (BW)/s or -57%), peak vertical ground reaction force (Δx̄

SUBMITTER: Van den Berghe P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9189712 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature