Determinants of marathon performance : the Run4Science project

It is well documented that the performance determinants of the endurance performances are the (i) maximal aerobic power (V'O2max), (ii) running economy (RE), (iii) lactate threshold (LT) and (iv) fractional utilization of V’O2max (f) during the race1. These are true both for the high-level and recreational athletes and accounted for about 20%-30%-20%-30%, respectively. For years, running marathons was considered an odd and potentially dangerous activity. Yet, the increasing popularity of (half)marathon running among humans of all ages and abilities is a testament to the human capability for endurance running, defined as the ability to run long distances using aerobic metabolism2. Through the years, (half)marathon participation has skyrocketed with hundreds of (half)marathons worldwide, with several events having more than 40,000 participants3 (73,000 only in Italy in the 2013). The vast majority of whom are recreational and middle-aged whose train and compete regularly, but most of them according to unstructured and scientifically inaccurate training programs. The purpose of the Project called ‘Run 4 Science’ was to enlarge upon the analysis both of the different training methologies and factors that may potentially be involved in the (half)marathon performance, bringing together the specific scientific knowledges of four different italian University (Verona, Milan, Rome and Turin) to analyze the effects of two training methodologies (i.e., high intensity trainining and a combined endurance and eccentric strength training) on different psycobiological variables. 49 recreational runners were tested PRE and POST 8 weeks of a training protocol. The variables gathered and analysed were: (i) anthopometric characteristic, (ii) V'O2MAX, (iii) VT1 and VT2, (iv) RE (at 75, 85 and 95% of VT1), (v) maximal strength (1RM), (vi) 2000m run time-trial and (vii) 10.000m run time-trial. Further, PRE and POST the final event [(half)marathon] several other parameters were assessed: (i) pacing strategy, (ii) rate of perceived exertion, (iii) RE, (iv) muscular stiffness, (v) running kinematics, (vi) muscular fatigue, (vii) changes in blood markers and (viii) algesimetry. The attempt was to help in the advancement of knowledge concerning the training methodologies for the endurance disciplines, suggesting practical and evidence-based application useful for the italian coaches and recommending effective training programs.