Journal article

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


Authors listMotevalli, Mohamad; Tanous, Derrick; Wirnitzer, Gerold; Leitzmann, Claus; Rosemann, Thomas; Knechtle, Beat; Wirnitzer, Katharina

Publication year2022

JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Volume number19

Issue number20

eISSN1660-4601

Open access statusGold

DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013291

PublisherMDPI


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/m(2); 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.


Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleMotevalli, M., Tanous, D., Wirnitzer, G., Leitzmann, C., Rosemann, T., Knechtle, B., et al. (2022) Sex Differences in Racing History of Recreational 10 km to Ultra Runners (Part B)-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2), International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), Article 13291. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013291

APA Citation styleMotevalli, M., Tanous, D., Wirnitzer, G., Leitzmann, C., Rosemann, T., Knechtle, B., & Wirnitzer, K. (2022). Sex Differences in Racing History of Recreational 10 km to Ultra Runners (Part B)-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(20), Article 13291. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013291



Keywords


ENDURANCEFEMALEhabitMARATHONMENrunningRUNNING PERFORMANCETRAINING VARIABLESWOMEN


SDG Areas


Last updated on 2025-10-06 at 11:45