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Age and Gender Differences in Half Marathon and Marathon Performance: Predicted vs. Official Finish Times
No full textGNYACSM Original Research Abstract
Age and Gender Differences in Half Marathon and Marathon Performance: Predicted vs. Official Finish Times
LENO BENNY, GREGORY KLIMAYTIS, BRIDGET A. MCFADDEN
Human Performance Laboratory; Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Science; Queens College, City University of New York; Flushing, NEW YORK
Category: Graduate
Advisor / Mentor: McFadden, Bridget ([email protected])
ABSTRACT
Participation in marathons (26.2 mi) and half marathons (13.1 mi) has grown for men (M) and women (W) in all age categories. Recently, some races have included a non-binary (NB) gender category. Therefore, research assessing gender and age differences in race performance is warranted. Predicted finish time (PT) reflects a runner’s expected completion time. PTs are self-reported and are considered a runners’ estimation of their own ability. Overestimating PT has been linked to greater slowdown in the later stages of a marathon. PURPOSE: To compare PT versus official finish times (FT) across gender and age categories. METHODS: Age, gender, PT, and FT were provided by race organizers after removing identifiable information. Runners were categorized by age: 16–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, and 75–79 years. Absolute differences (Ab) were determined as FT – PT; relative differences (Rel) were determined by the formula ((FT–PT)/PT) × 100. ANOVAs with Tukey adjusted post-hoc tests assessed Ab and Rel gender and age differences (α=0.05). Research was approved by Queens College IRB. RESULTS: After excluding non-finishers, data from 1,497 marathoners (M: n=887, 43.2 ± 12.8y; W: n=601, 41.5 ± 11.9y; NB: n=9, 30.2 ± 7.8y) and 960 half marathoners (M: n=372, 36.0 ± 13.5y; W: n=576, 31.7 ± 12.6y; NB: n=12, 38.4 ± 10.2y) were analyzed. Gender differences were observed for Ab (p=0.03) and Rel (p=0.01) marathon prediction accuracy. Women more accurately predicted finish times compared to men (WAb=6.25 ± 26.2min, MAb=9.72 ± 29.1min, p=0.049; & WRel=2.59 ± 9.81%, MRel=4.15 ± 10.9%, p=0.01). No gender differences were seen with NB (Ab= -2.37±10.8min; Rel= -0.82 ± 4.2%) and other genders (p\u3e0.05). Age significantly affected Ab (p\u3c0.001) and Rel (p=0.009) marathon prediction accuracy. No gender differences were observed in half marathon prediction accuracy (p\u3e0.05), but age differences were noted (p\u3c0.001). CONCLUSION: Gender differences were observed for prediction accuracy of marathon, but not half marathon runners. Age differences were observed for prediction accuracy of both race distances. Practitioners can use this information to target realistic goal setting and encourage the incorporation of pacing strategies within conditioning programs to improve race-day performance.
Support for this project was provided by a PSC-CUNY Award, jointly funded by The Professional Staff Congress and The City University of New York
Sports Related Ocular Trauma: Visual Dysfunction and Effects on Sustained Play and Athlete Performance
No full textSports participation is a source of ocular injuries that lead to significant short and long term visual impairment. Such injuries can adversely affect an athlete’s performance by reducing depth perception, and reaction time. PURPOSE: This literature review examines the effect of sports induced ocular injuries on athletic ability, visual function, and capacity for play. METHODS: Four databases were searched (PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, and Google Scholar) in September 2025 with terms including “Ocular Injury AND Sports” and “Eye Conditions AND Athletes.” Inclusion criteria were intervention studies containing primary data, peer reviewed, and directly relating to ocular conditions from sport participation. Exclusion criteria were non-intervention studies, published before 2015, and non-sports injuries. All relevant articles were screened and assessed for full text eligibility, yielding 24 full text studies to be included in this review. RESULTS: Sports related eye injuries accounted for 1/3rd of blindness cases due to ocular trauma. Sports found to result in a high incidence of eye injuries included basketball, baseball, handball, badminton, diving, and water polo. Sports induced vision conditions include blurred vision, double vision and light sensitivity. Athletes in collision sports, such as football, boxing and ice hockey, sustain negative eye related changes attributed to repeated head trauma. These include retinal thinning, reduced visual acuity at low contrast, and poorer vision related quality of life. Vision impairment was found in 69% of eyes that sustained an ocular sports injury. The most common conditions with permanent vision threatening structural damage were angle recession, and macular scar or hole. The most common ocular injury is an ocular abrasion. Eye injuries impact performance as they impair an athlete’s visual acuity, smooth pursuit, and visuospatial processing abilities. CONCLUSION: Sports related ocular injuries represent a significant cause of vision loss. Accounting for a large share of trauma induced blindness, collision based and high velocity projectile sports can prevent further participation and necessitate prolonged absences from play. Eye protection is essential as superior visual skills enhance performance in sport and ensure continued participation
Integrating Muscle Oxygen Monitoring into Achilles Rehabilitation: Teaching Physiological Awareness Through Wearable Technology
No full textRehabilitation following Achilles tendon rupture remains highly variable, with progression often guided by subjective observations rather than objective physiological metrics. Wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology provides a means to quantify local muscle recovery and educate both clinicians and patients on the physiology of healing. PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of the Moxy muscle oxygen sensor in monitoring gastrocnemius muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) during rehabilitation after Achilles tendon repair and to translate these data into actionable insights for clinical and athlete education. METHODS: A 23-year-old male NCAA Division I football lineman (IRB #2113291-6) underwent right Achilles tendon repair on 12/5/2024. SmO₂ of the medial gastrocnemius was continuously recorded during progressive loading, isometric holds, and functional movement assessments at four and five months post-surgery (4/11 and 5/8). Contralateral SmO₂ increased from 65.54% to 68.04%, while surgical limb SmO₂ decreased from 41.75% to 38.92%. NIRS data were analyzed for desaturation amplitude, recovery slope, and half-time to evaluate perfusion asymmetry and muscular endurance. Two key decision points (modifying load intensity and delaying plyometric progression) were guided directly by SmO₂ recovery kinetics. RESULTS: Early rehabilitation showed pronounced desaturation and slower reoxygenation in the injured limb compared to the contralateral side (~40% lower baseline SmO₂). Structured loading and neuromuscular retraining improved recovery slopes and narrowed asymmetry. Real-time visualization of oxygenation trends enhanced the athlete’s understanding of fatigue thresholds and adherence to recovery pacing. CONCLUSION: Wearable NIRS monitoring can transform complex physiological data into a dynamic, educational feedback tool. Integrating SmO₂ insights into rehabilitation enhances objective decision-making, promotes athlete engagement, and bridges the gap between physiological monitoring and clinical application
Conservative Anabaptists Descriptions of Delay, Comfort in Connectedness, and Ease in Cultural Tension when Seeking and Responding to Healthcare
No full textIntroduction: Conservative Anabaptists are a large ethnic religious population that continues to grow in the United States. These groups are known to experience adverse health-related outcomes. Therefore, the concept of transcending health values has been developed to better understand how conservative anabaptists describe seeking and responding to healthcare. The purpose of this study is to (1) gather empirical evidence about the concept of transcending health values and (2) use the evidence to contribute to the body of knowledge of nursing.
Method: The study used qualitative-directed content analysis guided by the core qualities of transcending health values: delay in health-seeking behaviors, comfort in connectedness, and ease in cultural tension. Fourteen participants were recruited from a conservative Anabaptist Beachy Amish Mennonite congregation. Focus groups were utilized. The data were analyzed using directed content analysis by coding based on the three predetermined categories, specific descriptors identified, condensed to meaning units, and lifted to themes.
Results: Ten themes were constructed. Delay in seeking healthcare is waiting to allow the body to heal itself, following natural remedies and over-the-counter medications, seeking guidance within the community, and obtaining medical care only when necessary. Comfort in connectedness is expecting the medical environment to be unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and cold, being unheard and treated like a number, yet desiring to be understood. Ease in cultural tension is trusting those who are humble and open, and partnering to share care responsibilities.
Discussion: Findings from the study were congruent with previous literature about delay in health seeking behaviors, comfort in connectedness, and ease in cultural tension. Findings were also coherent with theoretical and conceptual frameworks and grounded in the discipline of nursing. Implications for future research, practice, and policy include measures to support conservative Anabaptists in receiving culturally congruent healthcare and to provide empirical evidence for those caring for this community
Low Energy Availability Prevalence, Dietary Habits, and Sleep in Female Army ROTC Cadets
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1030-1046, 2025. Low energy availability (LEA) results in numerous health and performance decrements. While a high prevalence of LEA and sleep disturbance has been observed in male Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, no data exists in females. This study aimed to determine LEA prevalence, dietary habits, and sleep quantity and quality in female U.S. ROTC cadets. Following an overnight fast, ten cadets (22±4 yrs, 166.0±6.1 cm, 67.1±9.1 kg, 26.1±6.2% body fat, 49.2±4.8 kg fat-free mass (FFM)) had their body composition and resting metabolic rate measured. Validated questionnaires assessed LEA symptoms and sleep. Under free-living conditions, exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and sleep were quantified via accelerometers for 7-days. Concurrently, energy intake (EI) was assessed via digital food records and evaluated relative to the Military Dietary Reference Intakes (MDRIs). Cadets consumed 1983±706 kcal·d-1 with a mean EEE of 482±110 kcal·d-1. EA was 30.6±13.2 kcals·kg-1 FFM with 40% presenting with LEA (≤ 30 kcals·kg-1 FFM) and another 50% in a suboptimal EA state (30–45 kcals·kg-1 FFM). Dietary analysis indicated 30%, 40%, 80%, and 10% of cadets met MDRIs for calories, carbohydrate, protein, and fat, respectively. Cadets slept 373±100 min·d-1, with 20% of cadets meeting the Army recommendation for sleep. Sleep questionnaires indicated that 60% of cadets experienced poor sleep quality and 30% had poor sleep behavior. In the present study, all but one cadet was in a low or suboptimal EA state, a high prevalence of sleep disturbance was observed, and most cadets did not meet MDRIs for energy and macronutrient intakes
ASSOCIATION OF CALF CIRCUMFERENCE WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE
No full textCalf circumference (CC) is an easy, attainable measurement that has been found to be a good tool for predicting a multitude of factors among older individuals. PURPOSE: To determine if there is an association of calf circumference, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) among a variety of fitness and health levels in men aged 35-75. METHODS: Participants were recruited from both the Forest Grove community (n=10) and PeaceHealth’s cardiac rehabilitation program in Springfield, OR (n=10). All participants were seated while CC was recorded with a tape measure and BP and HR were recorded with a cuff. Data were analyzed using JMP version 4 and a Pearson Product Moment correlation was used to analyze the sample sizes. RESULTS: CC showed a moderate positive correlation with diastolic BP and no significant difference, r = 0.340, p = .142. No significant difference was found between CC and systolic BP as well as a negative weak correlation, r = -0.208, p = 0.377. No correlation was found between CC and HR, r = 0.088, p = 0.714. CC showed a weak positive correlation with cardiac events and no significant difference, r = 0.191, p = 0.421. All other data showed no significance and a weak correlation. CONCLUSION: These results indicate CC has little to no association with HR and BP in men aged 35-75 years of age who are healthy, as well as those who have a history of heart disease. CC has the most significant correlation with diastolic blood pressure. A moderate, positive correlation could indicate that CC may be a way to predict elevated diastolic BP and/or hypertension. The findings provide a starting point for further analysis. Additional factors and more advanced statistical models are needed to gain deeper insights
MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE EFFECTS ON EXERCISE THERMOREGULATION AND PERFORMANCE IN THE HEAT
No full textThe menstrual cycle (MC) is described as the natural fluctuation of hormones. It is known that the high-hormone luteal phase exhibits higher resting core temperature (Tc) compared to the low-hormone follicular phase. However, research is inconclusive and limited on whether elevated Tc impacts performance during exercise in hot conditions. PURPOSE: To determine if thermoregulatory measures are altered between MC phases, and whether the changes hinder running performance in the heat. METHODS: Recreationally trained, naturally menstruating adults completed two treadmill runs in simulated conditions during contrasting MC phases: early follicular (EF) and midluteal (ML). Subjects ran for 45min at a constant self-selected light pace, followed by a 15min performance test for distance. Environmental chamber was set to 32°C, 40% relative humidity (mean WBGT 31.8±1.6°C). Tc, mean skin temperature (Ts), heart rate (HR), perceived exertion (RPE), thermal perception (THERM), and comfort perception (COMF) were assessed every 5min. Sweat perception (SP), sweat loss (SL), session ratings (sRPE, sTHERM, sCOMF), and performance test distance (DIST) were taken upon trial completion. Blood serum was analyzed for estrogen and progesterone concentrations to confirm MC phases. Two-way (phase X time) repeated measures ANOVAs were run for physiological and perceptual measures. Paired t-tests were run to assess phase differences in session ratings, SP, SL, and distance covered on the performance test. RESULTS: For n=5, Tc, Ts, HR, RPE, THERM, and COMF showed a main effect of time (p\u3c0.001 for all) but no effect of phase (p\u3e0.05 for all). Tc was not significantly different at baseline ([mean and SD] EF: 36.2±1.0℃, ML: 35.6±1.2℃, p=0.42). No significant phase differences were observed for SP (EF: 1094±428ml, ML: 1189±474ml, p=0.45), SL (EF: 1092±310ml, ML: 1159±257ml, p=0.79), sRPE (EF: 14.0±1.4, ML: 14.0±2.0, p=1.00), sTHERM (EF: -2.4±0.5, ML: -3.4±0.5, p=0.06), sCOMF (EF: 2.8±0.4, ML: 3.4±0.9, p=0.18), or DIST (EF: 1.71±0.32mi, ML: 1.70±0.45mi, p=0.96). CONCLUSION: MC phase does not appear to influence measures of thermoregulation or exercise performance in the heat. Athletes may continue to exercise per usual without concern of MC phase effects
RELATIONSHIP OF COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL HITTING PERFORMANCE WITH SENSORIMOTOR ABILITIES
No full textAchieving high levels of softball batting success requires the precise coordination of sensorimotor skills and biomechanical movements. PURPOSE: To determine the relationships between sensorimotor abilities, bat swing mechanics, and on-field hitting performance. METHODS: NCAA Division III softball hitters (n=26; 19.9 years + 1.2, 83.3 kg + 15.5, 1.69 meters + 0.07) participated in this study. All participants reported to the lab for a testing session. Each participant completed tests on the sensorimotor station to assess 7 different perceptual abilities. The participants then completed a hitting session where 6 swing metrics were collected using an attached bat sensor across 20 hits. Hitting statistics from the previous competitive season were used to assess their on-field performance including walks (BB), batting average (BAVG), strikeouts (K) on-base percentage (OB%), slugging percentage (SLG%), and hits (H). Correlations were calculated to find relationships between the sensorimotor skills, swing metrics, and on-field performance. Linear regressions were then used to follow-up on moderate to strong correlations for predictive values. RESULTS: A strong correlation between BB and eye-hand coordination was shown (0.679). A Liner Regression analysis revealed that this pair demonstrated a significant predictive trend (R2 = 0.461; p = 0.02). Moderate correlations were calculated between BAVG with eye-hand coordination (0.475), near-far shift (0.457), and with dynamic vision (0.484), but no statistical significance with a linear regression. Another moderate correlation existed between OB% and eye-hand coordination (0.546) but no statistical significance with linear regression. Weak correlations were displayed between bat swing metrics and sensorimotor abilities and on-field performance. CONCLUSION: Specific metrics in sensorimotor abilities have correlations with on-field performance. While future research is recommended to continue to find the relationships between sensorimotor skills and on-field performance, it would be recommended that sports vision training be included to increase on-field performance