Why are the tarahumara amerindians in mexico such powerful mountain runners?

The Tarahumara Amerindians in Mexico are extremely potent runners on long mountain trails. We have analyzed publications to find causes. Traditionally the Tarahumara live alternating at altitudes between 2400 m and 800 m. Distances from homes to fields and village centers are large and covered on foot since childhood. Men and women take part in running competitions often with kickballs. Investigated runs lasted on average 8:42 h (78 km without ascent) and 6:58 h (63km), respectively. The intensity during the short race amounted to 70% of estimated V˙O2max (ranging between 41 and 70 ml/(kg*min)), energy expenditure reached 21000 kJ. People run barefoot or with thin sandals resulting in increased forefoot impact and storage of elastic energy. This and the slim frame with little subcutaneous fat reduce energy consumption. The vegetarian nutrition contains many carbohydrates and plant proteins, little fat and cholesterol. Hemoglobin concentration tends to increased values. Noncoding beta-chain variants possess no importance for oxygen affinity. The hearts are not enlarged like in endurance athletes. Genes show little European admixture. Gene enrichment in musclerelated pathways suggests a contribution to physical resistance. Conclusions: Explanations for the extreme endurance are favorable biomechanical conditions and physical training beginning during childhood. Running on slopes and changing living sites between 800 and 2400 m play an additional role. Standard exercise tests and genetic investigations are necessary in future. Key Words: Altitude, Hypoxia, Long Distance Running, Genetics

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Relative Body Weight and Standardised Brightness-Mode Ultrasound Measurement of Subcutaneous Fat in Athletes: An International Multicentre Reliability Study, Under the Auspices of the IOC Medical Commission

Sports Medicine ◽

10.1007/s40279-019-01192-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 597-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Wolfram Müller ◽

Alfred Fürhapter-Rieger ◽

Helmut Ahammer ◽

Timothy G. Lohman ◽

Nanna L. Meyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Fat ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Ice Hockey ◽

American Football ◽

Ultrasound Measurement ◽

Distance Running ◽

Long Distance ◽

Long Distance Running ◽

Relative Body Weight ◽

Subcutaneous Adipose

Abstract Introduction Fat is a metabolic fuel, but excess body fat is ballast mass, and therefore, many elite athletes reduce body fat to dangerously low levels. Uncompressed subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness measured by brightness-mode ultrasound (US) provides an estimate of body fat content. Methods The accuracy for determining tissue borders is about 0.1–0.2 mm and reliability (experienced measurers) was within ± 1.4 mm (95% limit of agreement, LOA). We present here inter- and intra-measurer scores of three experienced US measurers from each of the centres C1 and C2, and of three novice measurers from each of the centres C3–C5. Each of the five centres measured 16 competitive adult athletes of national or international level, except for one centre where the number was 12. The following sports were included: artistic gymnastics, judo, pentathlon, power lifting, rowing, kayak, soccer, tennis, rugby, basketball, field hockey, water polo, volleyball, American football, triathlon, swimming, cycling, long-distance running, mid-distance running, hurdles, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey. SAT contour was detected semi-automatically: typically, 100 thicknesses of SAT at a given site (i.e., in a given image), with and without fibrous structures, were measured. Results At SAT thickness sums DI (of eight standardised sites) between 6.0 and 70.0 mm, the LOA of experienced measurers was 1.2 mm, and the intra-class correlation coefficient ICC was 0.998; novice measurers: 3.1 mm and 0.988. Intra-measurer differences were similar. The median DI value of all 39 female participants was 51 mm (11% fibrous structures) compared to 17 mm (18%) in the 37 male participants. Discussion DI measurement accuracy and precision enables detection of fat mass changes of approximately 0.2 kg. Such reliability has not been reached with any other method. Although females’ median body mass index and mass index were lower than those of males, females’ median DI was three times higher, and their percentage of fibrous structures was lower. The standardised US method provides a highly accurate and reliable tool for measuring SAT and thus changes in body fat, but training of measurers is important.

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Popliteal entrapment syndrome and age

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000201 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 262-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Schweizer ◽

Hügli ◽

Koella ◽

Jeanneret

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Leg Pain ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Long Distance ◽

Entrapment Syndrome ◽

Long Distance Running ◽

Popliteal Entrapment ◽

Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome ◽

Atherosclerotic Risk Factors

On the occasion of diagnosing a popliteal entrapment syndrome in a 59-year old man with no cardiovascular risk factors, who developed acute ischemic leg pain during long distance running, we give an overview on this entity with emphasis on patientsage. The different types of the popliteal artery compression syndrome are summarized. The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are discussed. The most important clinical sign of a popliteal entrapment syndrome is the lack of atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with limited walking distance. Not only in young athletes but also in patients more than 50 years old the popliteal entrapment syndrome has to be taken into account.

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Pacing behaviour of middle-long distance running & race-walking athletes at the IAAF U18 and U20 World Championship finals

European Journal of Sport Science ◽

10.1080/17461391.2021.1893828 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Stein Gerrit Paul Menting ◽

Brian Hanley ◽

Marije Titia Elferink-Gemser ◽

Florentina Johanna Hettinga

Keyword(s):

Distance Running ◽

Long Distance ◽

World Championship ◽

Long Distance Running ◽

Race Walking

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Emil Zatopek In the pantheon of long-distance running: the creation of a sporting myth

Sport in History ◽

10.1080/17460263.2021.1934096 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Yohann Fortune

Keyword(s):

Distance Running ◽

Long Distance ◽

Long Distance Running ◽

The Creation

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Dietary nitrate supplementation attenuates the reduction in exercise tolerance following blood donation

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00451.2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 311 (6) ◽

pp. H1520-H1529 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sinead T. J. McDonagh ◽

Anni Vanhatalo ◽

Jonathan Fulford ◽

Lee J. Wylie ◽

Stephen J. Bailey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exercise Tolerance ◽

Peak Power ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Beetroot Juice ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Exercise Tests ◽

Dietary Nitrate ◽

Nitrate Supplementation

We tested the hypothesis that dietary nitrate (NO3−)-rich beetroot juice (BR) supplementation could partially offset deteriorations in O2transport and utilization and exercise tolerance after blood donation. Twenty-two healthy volunteers performed moderate-intensity and ramp incremental cycle exercise tests prior to and following withdrawal of ∼450 ml of whole blood. Before donation, all subjects consumed seven 70-ml shots of NO3−-depleted BR [placebo (PL)] in the 48 h preceding the exercise tests. During the 48 h after blood donation, subjects consumed seven shots of BR (each containing 6.2 mmol of NO3−, n = 11) or PL ( n = 11) before repeating the exercise tests. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were reduced by ∼8–9% following blood donation ( P < 0.05), with no difference between the BR and PL groups. Steady-state O2uptake during moderate-intensity exercise was ∼4% lower after than before donation in the BR group ( P < 0.05) but was unchanged in the PL group. The ramp test peak power decreased from predonation (341 ± 70 and 331 ± 68 W in PL and BR, respectively) to postdonation (324 ± 69 and 322 ± 66 W in PL and BR, respectively) in both groups ( P < 0.05). However, the decrement in performance was significantly less in the BR than PL group (2.7% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.05). NO3−supplementation reduced the O2cost of moderate-intensity exercise and attenuated the decline in ramp incremental exercise performance following blood donation. These results have implications for improving functional capacity following blood loss.

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C reactive protein concentrations during long distance running.

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.289.6459.1696-a ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 289 (6459) ◽

pp. 1696-1696 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

B McConkey

Keyword(s):

Distance Running ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Long Distance ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Long Distance Running

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Bilateral Accessory Soleus: A Report on Four Patients with Partial Fasciectomy

Foot & Ankle ◽

10.1177/107110079301400509 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 284-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

David A. Peterson ◽

Warren Stinson ◽

John Carter

Keyword(s):

Tarsal Tunnel ◽

Fat Pad ◽

Ankle Pain ◽

Previous Surgery ◽

Long Distance ◽

Lateral Ankle ◽

Long Distance Running ◽

Operative Exploration ◽

Partial Fasciectomy

Four young adults (average age 24 years) presented with complaints of posterior ankle pain after running. Bilateral accessory soleus muscles were diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging or CT scan. Symptoms were present an average of 3 years before diagnosis. Two patients had previous surgery (ankle arthroscopy, tarsal tunnel release, and leg compartment release) before diagnosis and treatment. Obliteration of Kager's triangle (posterior ankle fat pad) was present on six out of eight lateral ankle radiographs. Posteromedial prominence was present on four out of eight ankles. Operative exploration confirmed the presence of five muscles and fasciectomy was performed. Follow-up (17 to 29 months) showed good relief of symptoms in all patients and return to long-distance running for three patients. Dissection of 47 preserved cadavers revealed three accessory soleus muscles in the 94 extremities (two muscles were bilateral in one cadaver).

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