Search

Background: Although runner's profiles were previously investigated, information on the training frequency and training distance for short (5 km, 10 km) and long-distance (>21 km) running is absent. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between training routines and exercise habits of recreational endurance runners considering self-reported preferred race distance [10 km, half-marathon (HM), and marathon/ultra-marathon (M/UM)] subgroups., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, sampling 154 recreational runners of both sexes. A web survey was used for data collection regarding age, sex, preferred distance (10-km, HM, M/UM), training routines, exercise habits, and periodized training routines. The Chi-square test (Cramer's V) and Kruskal-Wallis test (Eta-Squared η 2 ) with effect sizes were used for comparisons between race distances., Results: Significant differences were shown for anthropometric, training, and periodization characteristics. Highly significant differences were found between subgroups for the number of sessions, running kilometers, and training hours at all periods and within all four preparation conditions. M/UM runners were training more frequently, for longer durations, and ran greater distances each week., Conclusion: This finding supports the notion that training habits and periodization characteristics are different for different race distances (10-km, half marathon, marathon, and ultramarathon)., Competing Interests: Author GW is the founder of company AdventureV & Change2V. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Knechtle, Tanous, Thuany, Motevalli, Wirnitzer, Leitzmann, Weiss, Rosemann and Wirnitzer.)

Purpose: Our purpose was to investigate the interplay between runners and their environment using a network approach., Methods: This cross-sectional study sampled Brazilian runners of both sexes, from the five macro-regions of the country. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding age, sex, training volume, socio-economic level, place of residence, and running pace. Environmental indicators (public illumination, pavement, sidewalk, and green areas) were collected from available public information. Descriptive statistics were presented in mean (SD), and frequency (%). A network analysis was performed to evaluate the association between individual and environmental characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed in the JASP, considering p < 0.05., Results: At North and Mid-West regions, public illumination presents the highest values for the expected influence (1.74 and 1.56), while in Northeast and Southeast, sidewalks present the highest values (2.13; 0.91). For betweenness centrality, in North, Northeast, and Mid-West regions, residency in the capital of a state presented a hub. In contrast, pavement, and training volume present higher values in the South and Southeast. Network topologies are different., Conclusion: Public illumination (North and Mid-West) and sidewalk (Northeast, Southeast) were the most important variables for runners. Continental size countries need specific approaches to improve physical activity levels and health outcomes that consider the cultural, historical, and environmental background., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Thuany, Bandeira, Vieira, Weiss, Knechtle and Gomes.)

Our purpose is to move beyond the borders of the athlete-centered approach by examining the runners' environment interplay as a key factor for performance. Based on the ecological systems theory, the micro-level (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and training characteristics), meso-level (a direct association with athletes is not observed, but the environment plays an influence on the relationships built at the micro-level), and macro-level (contextual features that influence athletic systems) were theorized and contextualized as important factors for the expression of different outcomes, including performance and participation. We also conceptualized the microtime, mesotime, and macrotime as a constraint. Through this model, we aimed to provide applications and conclusions about how this conceptual model provides advances in the scientific research field. By understanding how environmental factors influence their performance, runners can make informed decisions about where and how to train and compete. Furthermore, by recognizing the role of culture and social context in shaping runners' experiences and outcomes, we can work toward creating a more equitable and supportive running culture for all., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Thuany, Gomes, Weiss, Knechtle, Rolim and Moura dos Santos.)

Purpose: Our purpose was to verify the existence of birthplace and relative age effect (RAE), as well as the association between birthplace effect and RAE among Brazilian athletes competing in the Olympic Games., Methods: Data included information about Brazilian Summer Olympic athletes from 1920 to 2021. To investigate RAE, athletes' birthdate was distributed into birth quartiles (Q1: Jan-Mar; Q2: Apr-Jun; Q3: Jul-Sep; Q4: Oct-Dec), while birthplace effect was assessed considering the state and the region (Southeast; Northeast; South; North; and Midwest) of birth. The Chi-square test (χ 2 ) was used to verify differences between the birthplace effect and RAE., Results: The sample consisted of 388 Brazilian athletes of both sexes, distributed in 38 sports modalities from 23 Brazilian states (Southeast = 66.5%; South = 14.4%; Northeast = 12.1%; North = 1.5%; Midwest = 5.4%). For both sexes, most of the athletes were from the São Paulo state (37.4%), followed by Rio de Janeiro (18.3%), both from the Southeast region. For birthdate distribution according to birthplace, it was observed that the North region presented the highest frequency of athletes born in Q1 (50%), followed by the Northeast and Southeast regions. No significant differences were found for the birthplace effect (χ 2  = 5.69, value of p  = 0.128) and RAE between sexes (χ 2  = 0.530, value of p  = 0.912), nor was shown an association between the birthplace effect and RAE., Conclusion: Most Brazilian Olympic athletes are from the Southeast region, but no RAE was established regarding their birthplace. Results from the present study can guide sports public policies in Brazilian regions, especially in the Midwest, North, and Northeast regions, which are underrepresented in Brazilian high-performance sports., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Thuany, Vieira, Lima, Cavalcante, Alcântara, Nikolaidis, Knechtle, Weiss and Gomes.)

The purpose of this study was to identify the individual and environmental predictors associated with performance in female runners of different ages. The sample comprised 440 female Brazilian runners, who answered an online questionnaire, that provided information regarding height, weight, age (categories: "young adult", "adult", "early middle-age", and "older adults"), socioeconomic status, and training characteristics (frequency and volume per week, running pace, race event, and running club participation). Information about environmental variables was obtained from the official institutes and comprised the human development index (HDI), athletics events, athletic tracks, and female homicide. A linear regression model, clustered by state and performed by age groups, was computed. The sample presented a mean running pace of 5:57min/km, and a mean BMI of 23.51kg/m -2 . An increase in running pace and volume/week was observed with increasing age. In "young adults", any of the variables were significantly associated with the performance. In "adult" group, only individual characteristics were statistically significantly related with the performance. In "early middle-age", besides BMI ( β =5.72; 95%CI=3.65-7.79) and training volume ( β =-0.67; 95%CI=-1.07 - -0.27), the HDI was associated with the performance ( β =-23.30; 95%CI=-44.11 - -2.49). In older adults, it was found an association between socioeconomic status ( β =-19.47; 95%CI=-32.29 - -6.65), practice time ( β =142.92; 95%CI=89.34-196.50), running event participation ( β =-80.12; 95%CI=-114.35- -45.88), athletic events ( β =33.44; 95%CI=15.16-51.72), and female homicide ( β =-0.11; 95%CI=-0.17 - -0.05) with the performance, highlighting the influence of both individual and environmental characteristics. Information about the role of these constraints, and their relationships, in female runners' performance, can be used to guide the development of projects/strategies aiming to increase their involvement in physical activities and sports practice, through the promotion of a more "friendly environment" to women, and providing support for decision-makers when suggesting/implementing public policies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Thuany, Malchrowicz-Mośko, Kłoskowski and Gomes.)