Anthropometric and Physiological Determinants of Running Performance in Middle- and Long-distance Runners

The aim of the present study was to compare anthropometric, body composition and physiological parameters in middleand long-distance runners of the same performance level and to identify variables that could predict the probability of being either a middleor a long-distance runner. National-level middledistance (n=20, body mass M=70.5, SD=6.3 kg, body height M=1.80, SD=0.04 m,) and long-distance (n=20, body mass M=69.0, SD=4.5 kg, body height M=1.81, SD=0.05 m) runners performed an incremental test on a treadmill. Anthropometric and body composition parameters were measured and different body length and mass ratios were calculated. Middleand long-distance runners did not differ (p>.05) in their leg mass, length proportions, in their measured anthropometric or body composition parameters, except for the lower leg length. Performance in middle-distance runners was best described by the lower leg to upper leg mass ratio (Adj R2=.41; p<.05) and the second ventilatory threshold time (Adj R2=.33; p<.05), while the performance in long-distance runners was best described by the total time on a treadmill (Adj R2=.36; p<.05). The constructed model showed that VO2maxtime (OR=1.01, 95% CI 1.001-1.012) and age (OR=1.57; 95% CI 1.065-2.310) classified middleand long-distance runners in their specialties. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate the relevance of specific anthropometric parameters in predicting middlebut not long-distance running performance.