One hundred marathons in 100 days: Unique biomechanical signature and the evolution of force characteristics and bone density

Journal of Sport and Health ScienceVolume 11, Issue 3, May 2022, Pages 347-357Journal of Sport and Health ScienceHighlights•

An extraordinary distance runner completed 100 marathons in equal days.

The marathoner had remarkably low loading-related magnitudes, for example, peak ground reaction forces and loading rates, that were associated with a remarkably high duty factor. The low vertical loading rate can be partially explained by a pronounced rearfoot strike.

Monitoring of the case revealed an increase in bone mineral density while the loading-related magnitudes showed no clear change.

The pattern of the successful high-mileage runner may be useful when developing or evaluating load-shifting strategies in distance running.

AbstractBackground

An extraordinary long-term running performance may benefit from low dynamic loads and a high load-bearing tolerance. An extraordinary runner (age = 55 years, height = 1.81 m, mass = 92 kg) scheduled a marathon a day for 100 consecutive days. His running biomechanics and bone density were investigated to better understand successful long-term running in the master athlete.

Methods

Overground running gait analysis and bone densitometry were conducted before the marathon-a-day challenge and near its completion. The case's running biomechanics were compared pre-challenge to 31 runners who were matched by a similar foot strike pattern.

Results

The case's peak vertical loading rate (Δx̄ = –61.9 body weight (BW)/s or –57%), peak vertical ground reaction force (Δx̄ = –0.38 BW or –15%), and peak braking force (Δx̄ = –0.118 BW or –31%) were remarkably lower (p < 0.05) than the control group at ∼3.3 m/s. The relatively low loading-related magnitudes were attributed to a remarkably high duty factor (0.41) at the evaluated speed. The foot strike angle of the marathoner (29.5°) was greater than that of the control group, affecting the peak vertical loading rate. Muscle powers in the lower extremity were also remarkably low in the case vs. controls: peak power of knee absorption (Δx̄ = –9.16 watt/kg or –48%) and ankle generation (Δx̄ = –3.17 watt/kg or –30%). The bone mineral density increased to 1.245 g/cm² (+2.98%) near completion of the challenge, whereas the force characteristics showed no statistically significant change.

Conclusion

The remarkable pattern of the high-mileage runner may be useful in developing or evaluating load-shifting strategies in distance running.

Keywords

Bone

Gait analysis

Ground reaction force

Load

Running

© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Shanghai University of Sport.

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