Training for a (half‐)marathon: Training volume and longest endurance run related to performance and running injuries

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 2020-09, Vol.30 (9), p.1692-1704
• Main Authors: Fokkema, Tryntsje, Damme, Ankie A.D.N., Fornerod, Maarten W.J., Vos, Robert‐Jan, Bierma‐Zeinstra, Sita M.A., Middelkoop, Marienke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Athletic Injuries - epidemiology; athletic performance; Athletic Performance - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Injuries; Male; Marathon Running - injuries; Marathon Running - statistics & numerical data; Marathons; Middle Aged; Netherlands - epidemiology; Original; physical endurance; prevention and control; prospective study; Running; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.13725

Objective Examine the associations of training volume and longest endurance run with (half‐)marathon performance and running‐related injuries (RRIs) in recreational runners. Materials and Methods During the preparation for and directly after the running event, 556 participants of a half marathon and 441 participants of a marathon completed three questionnaires on RRIs, average weekly training volume and the longest endurance run. With finish time, decline in pace during the running event and RRIs as dependent variables, linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations with weekly training volume and the longest endurance run. Results In half‐marathon runners, a high training volume (>32 km/wk) (β −4.19, 95% CI: −6.52;−1.85) and a long endurance run (>21 km) (β −3.87, 95% CI: −6.31;‐−1.44) were associated with a faster finish time, while a high training volume (β −1.81, 95% CI: −3.49;−0.12) and a long endurance run (β −1.89, 95% CI: −3.65;−0.12) were also related to less decline in pace. In marathon runners, a low training volume (65 km/wk) to a faster finish time (β −14.09, 95% CI: −22.47;−5.72), while a longest endurance run of