(May 25, 2012 , Runners World: Sweat Science)--There's a very interesting review paper in next month's issue of the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance,
from two well-known scientists -- Randy Wilber of the USOC's Athlete
Performance Lab and Yannis Pitsiladis of the University of Glasgow --
called "Kenyan and Ethiopian Distance Runners:
What Makes Them So Good?" Now there's a topic that can spark some arguments! To start, the authors lay out the eight possible factors most commonly cited as a reason for the dominance:
Since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners have dominated the middle- and long- distance events in athletics and have exhibited comparable dominance in international cross-country and road- racing competition. Several factors have been proposed to explain the extraordinary success of the Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners, including
In all cases, studies have failed to turn up convincing evidence that Kenyans and Ethiopians (or, more specifically, the Kalenjin and Arsi tribes that produce most of those countries' star runners) are predisposed to success.
As a result, at least one of the authors concludes that "the East African running phenomenon is not a genetically mediated phenomenon on the basis of the data reviewed here and elsewhere." Read more from Runners World: Sweat Science »
What Makes Them So Good?" Now there's a topic that can spark some arguments! To start, the authors lay out the eight possible factors most commonly cited as a reason for the dominance:
Since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners have dominated the middle- and long- distance events in athletics and have exhibited comparable dominance in international cross-country and road- racing competition. Several factors have been proposed to explain the extraordinary success of the Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners, including
- genetic predisposition;
- development of a high maximal oxygen uptake as a result of extensive walking and running at an early age;
- relatively high hemoglobin and hematocrit;
- development of good metabolic “economy/efficiency” based on somatotype and lower limb characteristics;
- favorable skeletal-muscle-fiber composition and oxidative enzyme profile;
- traditional Kenyan/Ethiopian diet;
- living and training at altitude; and
- motivation to achieve economic success.
In all cases, studies have failed to turn up convincing evidence that Kenyans and Ethiopians (or, more specifically, the Kalenjin and Arsi tribes that produce most of those countries' star runners) are predisposed to success.
As a result, at least one of the authors concludes that "the East African running phenomenon is not a genetically mediated phenomenon on the basis of the data reviewed here and elsewhere." Read more from Runners World: Sweat Science »
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