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Sex Differences in Racing History of Recreational 10 km to Ultra Runners (Part B)—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

Author

Listed:
  • Mohamad Motevalli

    (Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education, Tyrol, 6010 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Derrick Tanous

    (Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education, Tyrol, 6010 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Gerold Wirnitzer

    (adventureV & change2V, 6135 Stans, Austria)

  • Claus Leitzmann

    (Institute of Nutrition, University of Gießen, 35390 Gießen, Germany)

  • Thomas Rosemann

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Beat Knechtle

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
    Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

  • Katharina Wirnitzer

    (Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education, Tyrol, 6010 Innsbruck, Austria
    Research Center Medical Humanities, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

Sex differences in anatomy and physiology are the primary underlying factor for distinctions in running performance. Overall participation in recreational running events has been dominated by males, although increasing female participation has been reported in recent years. The NURMI study participants filled in a survey following the cross-sectional study design with questions on sociodemographic data, running and racing motivations, training behaviors, and racing history and experience. Data analysis included 141 female and 104 male participants aged 39 (IQR 17) with a healthy median BMI (21.7 kg/m²; IQR 3.5). Statistical analyses revealed sex differences with the males performing faster at half-marathon ( p < 0.001) and marathon ( p < 0.001) events but no difference at ultra-marathons ( p = 0.760). Mediation analyses revealed no significant sex differences in the performance of half-marathon and marathon when considering training behaviors ( p > 0.05), racing history ( p > 0.05), or racing experience ( p > 0.05). Differences in recreational performance may be more closely related to social constraints and expectations of females rather than the physiological advantages of the male athlete. Health professionals who guide and support recreational runners as well as the runners themselves and their coaches may benefit from this study’s results in order to improve the best time performance through a deeper understanding of the areas that mediate sex differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamad Motevalli & Derrick Tanous & Gerold Wirnitzer & Claus Leitzmann & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle & Katharina Wirnitzer, 2022. "Sex Differences in Racing History of Recreational 10 km to Ultra Runners (Part B)—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13291-:d:942899
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joanna S Zeiger & Robert S Zeiger, 2018. "Mental toughness latent profiles in endurance athletes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Mabliny Thuany & Raphael F. de Souza & Lee Hill & João Lino Mesquita & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle & Sara Pereira & Thayse Natacha Gomes, 2021. "Discriminant Analysis of Anthropometric and Training Variables among Runners of Different Competitive Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    3. Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle, 2020. "Skinfold Thickness Distribution in Recreational Marathon Runners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-7, April.
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