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Medical Video: The Science of Marathon Running
There are two types of people in this world. The classmates of Usain Bolt who can run long distances of up to tens of kilometers with smiles that are sweet on their lips, and those who run things just like a millimeter feel like they are dying.
The power of running can actually be trained through routine and intense practice. But when you practice often, you still don't have the ability to run long distances, maybe now is the time to reflect. There are a number of physical characteristics that could be the reason why you are quickly struggling when you just run to the supermarket near your house, while your next friend becomes the winner of the 200 kilometer ultramarathon race subscription.
People who have strong running distance have special genes in their bodies
In a study published in PLOS One, a team of researchers from Spain found that genetics can greatly determine a person's success rate to reach the finish line in a marathon competition.
Researchers observed the physical condition of 71 people who had participated in a marathon competition at least once in the last three years and were physically fit, had no history of any disease. Then the blood samples of the study participants were taken for further investigation, and the level of damage to their muscles after running was also observed.
Researchers found that in addition to the determination to train his running power, long-distance runners have a special genetic code that allows his body to produce less creatine kinase and myoglobin, which is a protein in the blood associated with muscle damage. This compound is released by the body when the muscles become tense or damaged after being used continuously for a long time, for example during a marathon.
Just for the record, to complete a marathon run, you need around 30,000 steps, while your feet will hold up to 1.5 to 3 times your weight at each step.
Thus, when there is major damage to muscle fibers, you will feel tired faster. On the other hand, the body of a runner who has this particular gene only releases very few of these proteins. This means they experience less muscle damage when running. It is this gene that makes the running ability of some people better than others.
People who have strong running distance have a longer leg bone structure
Shorter and stronger legs will generally show better running ability, but this only applies to the acceleration stage at the start of the race. Meanwhile, people who have longer legs usually have longer steps. This is an advantage in the mid-stage race when they have reached the highest running speed, which must continue to be maintained until the finish line.
Researchers at Penn University use images of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) imaging on the legs of competitive runners, who have at least three years experience sprint running. They found that this professional sprint runner had a forefoot bone that was up to 6.2 percent longer than the non-sprint runner group.
The researchers also found that the Achilles tendon (a large vein behind the ankle that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone) they also had a different structure. The Achilles tendon functions to lift the heel, like when we tiptoe or step on the brake. The short "lever arm" on the Achilles tendon of the sprint runner is found to be 12 percent shorter than the non-sprint runner. The length of the "levers" is the distance between the Achilles tendon to the center of rotation of the ankle bones.
Long-distance runners must be able to produce very high leg muscle strength compared to their body mass, in a very short time when their feet touch the ground. The shorter "levers" of the Achilles tendon and longer toe bones allow runners to produce greater contact power between the soles of the feet and the surface of the ground, and to maintain that strength for a longer time. This running technique uses less energy, and therefore also less intake of oxygen consumed, which can save your energy during running.
But it is still unclear whether routine training changes the structure of the legs, or if some people are born physically "runners". What is clear, these physical characteristics really can provide benefits for runners to produce greater strength during long distance running in a long time.
People who have strong running distance have a healthier lifestyle
Even if you are blessed with genes and are practicing extraordinarily to have the speed of running like Usain Bolt, the principle of a bad lifestyle can prevent you from achieving your best running ability. Bad nutrition that gives you empty calories without essential nutrition can really slow down the body's work.
Failing to meet the needs of body fluids with water will not make the body capable of displaying its optimal performance. Inadequate rest and poor sleep habits can rob your body of fitness.
Eating fresh food, drinking plenty of water, resting, and adequate post-exercise recovery techniques are the keys to achieving the most perfect long-distance running ability.
