showing 22 related works from this author
Energy expenditure during an ultraendurance alpine climbing race.
2009
Accurate reports of energy expenditure (EE) during prolonged mountaineering activity are sparse. The purpose of this study was to estimate EE during a winter ultraendurance climbing race and individual mountaineering activities in Mont Blanc, France.Seven days before the race, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2(max)) were measured in 10 experienced male climbers (30.0 +/- 0.9 years). Three days before (reference period) and during the race, heart rate (HR) was recorded for estimation of total daily EE (TDEE), and the type and duration of all activities were collected through questionnaires. Total DEE was calculated by adding DEE during sleep (DEE sleep), sedent…
European athletes dominate performances in Double Iron ultra-triathlons - A retrospective data analysis from 1985 to 2010
2014
International audience; We investigated the participation and performance trends of ultra-endurance triathletes from all nationalities competing in a Double Iron ultra-triathlon (7.6-km swim, 360-km cycle and 84.4-km run) from 1985 to 2010. A total of 1854 athletes participated in 92 Double Iron ultra-triathlons. The majority of the winners came from Europe with 72 victories, followed by North America with 17 victories. The race time for the European ultra-triathletes was 1340 (s=95.3) min, decreasing highly significantly (r(2)=0.28; P<0.0001) across the years. North American ultra-triathletes finished the races within 1556 (s=124.5) min; their race time showed no changes across the years (…
Sex-related differences and age of peak performance in breaststroke versus freestyle swimming
2013
Abstract Background Sex-related differences in performance and in age of peak performance have been reported for freestyle swimming. However, little is known about the sex-related differences in other swimming styles. The aim of the present study was to compare performance and age of peak performance for elite men and women swimmers in breaststroke versus freestyle. Methods Race results were analyzed for swimmers at national ranked in the Swiss high score list (during 2006 through 2010) and for international swimmers who qualified for the finals of the FINA World Swimming Championships (during 2003 through 2011). Results The sex-related difference in swimming speed was significantly greater…
A Comparison of Anthropometric and Training Characteristics between Female and Male Half-Marathoners and the Relationship to Race Time.
2013
Purpose Lower limb skin-fold thicknesses have been differentially associated with sex in elite runners. Front thigh and medial calf skin-fold appear to be related to 1,500m and 10,000m time in men but 400m time in women. The aim of the present study was to compare anthropometric and training characteristics in recreational female and male half-marathoners. Methods The association between both anthropometry and training characteristics and race time was investigated in 83 female and 147 male recreational half marathoners using bi- and multi-variate analyses. Results In men, body fat percentage (β=0.6), running speed during training (β=-3.7), and body mass index (β=1.9) were related to half-m…
Women reduced the sex difference in open-water ultra-distance swimming - La Traversee Internationale du Lac St-Jean, 1955-2012
2014
In La Traversée Internationale du Lac St-Jean, held between 1955 and 2012 in Canada, the fastest women (r2 = 0.61, p < 0.0001) and men (r2 = 0.66, p < 0.0001) improved swimming speed over the years but the sex difference remained unchanged at 8.8% ± 5.6% (r2 = 0.069, p = 0.065). Annually, for the 3 fastest swimmers, both women (r2 = 0.53, p < 0.0001) and men (r2 = 0.71, p < 0.0001) improved swimming speed between 1973 and 2012 and the sex difference decreased (r2 = 0.29, p = 0.0016) from 14.4% ± 11.0% (1973) to 3.7% ± 1.4% (2012).
Predictor variables for half marathon race time in recreational female runners
2011
Import JabRef | WosArea General and Internal Medicine; International audience; INTRODUCTION: The relationship between skin-fold thickness and running performance has been investigated from 100 m to the marathon distance, except the half marathon distance. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether anthropometry characteristics or training practices were related to race time in 42 recreational female half marathoners to determine the predictor variables of half-marathon race time and to inform future novice female half marathoners. METHODS: Observational field study at the 'Half Marathon Basel' in Switzerland. RESULTS: In the bivariate analysis, body mass (r = 0.60), body mass index (r = 0.48), body …
Neuromuscular and physiological variables evolve independently when running immediately after cycling
2015
International audience; During the early period of running after cycling, EMG patterns of the leg are modified in only some highly trained triathletes. The majority of studies have analysed muscle EMG patterns at arbitrary, predetermined time points. The purpose of this study was to examine changes to EMG patterns of the lower limb at physiologically determined times during the cycle-run transition period to better investigate neuromuscular adaptations. Six highly trained triathletes completed a 10 min isolated run (IR), 30 min of rest, then a 20 min cycling procedure, before a 10 min transition run (C-R). Surface EMG activity of eight lower limb muscles was recorded, normalised and quantif…
Neuromuscular fatigue during a long-duration cycling exercise
2002
The effects of prolonged cycling on neuromuscular parameters were studied in nine endurance-trained subjects during a 5-h exercise sustained at 55% of the maximal aerobic power. Torque during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps muscle decreased progressively throughout the exercise ( P < 0.01) and was 18% less at the end of exercise compared with the preexercise value. Peak twitch torque, contraction time, and total area of mechanical response decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) after the first hour of exercise. In contrast, changes in M-wave characteristics were significant only after the fourth hour of the exercise. Significant reductions ( P < 0.05) in electro…
Participation and performance trends in ultra-endurance running races under extreme conditions - 'Spartathlon' versus 'Badwater'
2013
Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to compare the trends in participation, performance and age of finishers in ‘Badwater’ and ‘Spartathlon’ as two of the toughest ultramarathons in the world of more than 200 km of distance. Methods Running speed and age of male and female finishers in Badwater and Spartathlon were analyzed from 2000 to 2012. Age of peak performance and sex difference in running speed were investigated during the studied period. Results The number of female and male finishes increased in Badwater and Spartathlon. Women accounted on average for 21.5% ± 6.9% in Badwater and 10.8% ± 2.3% in Spartathlon. There was a significant increase in female participation …
Gender differences in wheelchair marathon performance &ndash; Oita International Wheelchair Marathon from 1983 to 2011
2012
Romuald Lepers,1 Paul J Stapley,2 Beat Knechtle3,41INSERM U1093, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France; 2School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; 3Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 4Gesundheitszentrum St Gallen, St Gallen, SwitzerlandBackground: The purpose of the study was (1) to examine the changes in participation and performance of males and females at the Oita International Wheelchair Marathon in Oita, Japan, between 1983 and 2011, and (2) to analyze the gender difference in the age of peak wheelchair marathon performance.Methods: Age and time performance data for al…
Effects of a trail running competition on muscular performance and efficiency in well-trained young and master athletes
2010
International audience; To determine the acute effects of a trail running competition and the age-dependent differences between young and master athletes, 23 subjects [10 young (30.5 ± 7 years), 13 master (45.9 ± 5.9 years)] participated in a 55-km trail running competition. The study was conceived as an intervention study compromising pre, post 1, 24, 48 and 72 h measurements. Measurements consisted of blood tests, ergometer cycling and maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MVC). Parameters monitored included MVC, twitch-and M-wave properties, EMG (RMS) of the vastus lateralis, two locomotion efficiency calculations and muscle damage markers in the blood (CK, LDH). Results indicate pos…
Soleus and lateral gastrocnemius H-reflexes during standing with unstable footwear
2015
Introduction: Unstable footwear has been shown to increase lower extremity muscle activity, but the reflex response to perturbations induced by this intervention is unknown. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects stood in stable and unstable footwear conditions (presented randomly) while H-reflex amplitude and background muscle activity were measured in the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles. Results: Wearing unstable footwear resulted in larger H-reflexes (normalized to the maximal M-wave) for the LG (+12%; P = 0.025), but not for the soleus (+4%; P > 0.05). Background activity of both muscles was significantly higher in the unstable condition. Conclusions: The H-reflex facilitation o…
''The age-related decline in Olympic distance triathlon performance differs between males and females''
2013
Etter, F. | Knechtle, B. | Ruest, C. A. | Rosemann, T. | Lepers, R.; International audience; ''Aim. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the age-related declines in swimming, cycling, and running and overall race times between males and females in an Olympic distance triathlon, the 'Zurich Triathlon' in Switzerland. Methods. Swimming (1.5 km), cycling (40 km), running (10 km) and overall race times of 7939 total finishers (1666 females and 6273 males) from 2000 to 2010 in the "Zurich Triathlon" were analysed. Results. There was a significant (P50 years) 5 for cycling (>40 years) and for overall race time (>40 years). Conclusion. These data suggest that the age and gender int…
Relationship between age and elite marathon race time in world single age records from 5 to 93 years
2013
International audience; Background:The aims of the study were (i) to investigate the relationship between elite marathon race times andage in 1-year intervals by using the world single age records in marathon running from 5 to 93 years and (ii)toevaluate the sex difference in elite marathon running performance with advancing age.Methods:World single age records in marathon running in 1-year intervals for women and men were analysedregarding changes across age for both men and women using linear and non-linear regression analyses for eachage for women and men.Results:The relationship between elite marathon race time and age was non-linear (i.e.polynomial regression 4thdegree) for women and m…
Participation and performance trends of East-African runners in Swiss half-marathons and marathons held between 2000 and 2010.
2013
Abstract Background This study examined the changes in participation, performance and age of East African runners competing in half-marathons and marathons held in Switzerland between 2000 and 2010. Methods Race times, sex, age and origin of East African versus Non-African finishers of half-marathon and marathon finishers were analyzed. Results Across time, the number of Kenyan and Ethiopian finishers remained stable (P > 0.05) while the number of Non-African finishers increased for both women and men in both half-marathons and marathons (P < 0.05). In half-marathons, the top ten African women (71 ± 1.4 min) and top three (62.3 ± 0.6 min) and top ten (62.8 ± 0.4 min) African men were …
Comparison of training and anthropometric characteristics between recreational male half-marathoners and marathoners
2013
Zillmann, Teresa | Knechtle, Beat | Ruest, Christoph Alexander | Knechtle, Patrizia | Rosemann, Thomas | Lepers, Romuald; International audience; ''Participation in endurance running such as half-marathon (21-km) and marathon (42-km) has increased over the last decades. We compared 147 recreational male half-marathoners and 126 recreational male marathoners to investigate similarities or differences in their anthropometric and training characteristics. The half-marathoners were heavier (P < 0.05), had longer legs (P < 0.001), thicker upper arms (P < 0.05), a thicker thigh (P < 0.01), a higher sum of skinfold thicknesses (P < 0.01), a higher body fat percentage (P < 0.05) and a higher skelet…
Sex difference in Double Iron ultra-triathlon performance
2013
Abstract Background The present study examined the sex difference in swimming (7.8 km), cycling (360 km), running (84 km), and overall race times for Double Iron ultra-triathletes. Methods Sex differences in split times and overall race times of 1,591 men and 155 women finishing a Double Iron ultra-triathlon between 1985 and 2012 were analyzed. Results The annual number of finishes increased linearly for women and exponentially for men. Men achieved race times of 1,716 ± 243 min compared to 1,834 ± 261 min for women and were 118 ± 18 min (6.9%) faster (p < 0.01). Men finished swimming within 156 ± 63 min compared to women with 163 ± 31 min and were 8 ± 32 min (5.1 ± 5.0%) faster (p < …
Neuromuscular fatigue differs with biofeedback type when performing a submaximal contraction
2007
The aim of the study was to examine alterations in contractile and neural processes in response to an isometric fatiguing contraction performed with EMG feedback (constant-EMG task) when exerting 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque with the knee extensor muscles. A task with a torque feedback (constant-torque task) set at a similar intensity served as a reference task. Thirteen men (26+/-5 yr) attended two experimental sessions that were randomized across days. Endurance time was greater for the constant-EMG task compared with the constant-torque task (230+/-156 s vs. 101+/-32s, P0.01). Average EMG activity for the knee extensor muscles increased from 33.5+/-4.5% to 54.7+/-21.…
Torque decrease during submaximal evoked contractions of the quadriceps muscle is linked not only to muscle fatigue.
2015
International audience; The aim of this study was to analyze the neuromuscular mechanisms involved in the torque decrease induced by submaximal electromyostimulation (EMS) of the quadriceps muscle. It was hypothesized that torque decrease after EMS would reflect the fatigability of the activated motor units (MUs), but also a reduction in the number of MUs recruited as a result of changes in axonal excitability threshold. Two experiments were performed on 20 men to analyze 1) the supramaximal twitch superimposed and evoked at rest during EMS (Experiment 1, n = 9) and 2) the twitch response and torque-frequency relation of the MUs activated by EMS (Experiment 2, n = 11). Torque loss was asses…
The changes in age of peak swim speed for elite male and female Swiss freestyle swimmers between 1994 and 2012
2014
This study determined the age and its changes across years of peak swimming performance from 50 to 1,500 m freestyle. Data of 70,059 Swiss freestyle swimmers (33,725 women and 36,334 men) aged 10-40 years and competing from 50 to 1,500 m were analysed. The association between age and swimming speed of the annual ten fastest swimmers was investigated using single and multi-level hierarchical regression analyses. For women, age of peak swimming speed increased in 50 m from 18.9 (s = 2.3) to 20.4 (s = 4.2) years but decreased in 1,500 m from 25.0 (s = 13.1) (1996) to 18.1 (s = 3.7) years. For 100-800 m, age remained at 19.1 (s = 1.1), 19.3 (s = 1.1), 18.7 (s = 1.5) and 18.5 (s = 1.3) years, re…
Running speed during training and percent body fat predict race time in recreational male marathoners.
2012
&nbsp;Background: Recent studies have shown that personal best marathon time is a strong predictor of race time in male ultramarathoners. We aimed to determine variables predictive of marathon race time in recreational male marathoners by using the same characteristics of anthropometry and training as used for ultramarathoners.Methods: Anthropometric and training characteristics of 126 recreational male marathoners were bivariately and multivariately related to marathon race times.Results: After multivariate regression, running speed of the training units (&beta;=-0.52, P&lt;0.0001) and percent body fat (&beta;=0.27, P &lt;0.0001) were the two variables most strongly cor…
The age of peak performance in Ironman triathlon: a cross-sectional and longitudinal data analysis.
2013
Abstract Background The aims of the present study were, firstly, to investigate in a cross-sectional analysis the age of peak Ironman performance within one calendar year in all qualifiers for Ironman Hawaii and Ironman Hawaii; secondly, to determine in a longitudinal analysis on a qualifier for Ironman Hawaii whether the age of peak Ironman performance and Ironman performance itself change across years; and thirdly, to determine the gender difference in performance. Methods In a cross-sectional analysis, the age of the top ten finishers for all qualifier races for Ironman Hawaii and Ironman Hawaii was determined in 2010. For a longitudinal analysis, the age and the performance of the annua…