| 英文摘要 |
Introduction: Long-distance running competitions, such as marathon, half-marathon and 9 km race, could provide a well occasion to evaluate age-related changes and gender differences on endurance performance. The aim of this study was to discuss the performance of both genders and different age groups of the top 10 runners and all the other runners of long-distance running competitions. Methods: The data were based on Fubon Taipei Marathon 2013 event in Taiwan, from the event website by Chinese Taipei Road Running Association. Among the total number of 31,783 finishers, the age group was divided by every 10 years, and the average finish time of the male and female runners the 9-km, half marathon, and marathon was analyzed in the study. Results: 1. On the average finish time of the top 10 runners, it is significantly shorter among male and female 9-km and half-marathon runners of the age group of 17-24 than the top 10 runners of the age group of 35-44 and the other senior age groups (p < .05), while the marathon finish time of the male top 10 runners of the age group of 25-34 is significantly shorter than that of the age group of 35-44 and the other senior age groups (p < .05). Meanwhile, female top 10 finishers of the age group 55-64 in the three difference length race used the time significantly longer than the age group of 45-54 (p < .05). 2. On the average finish time of all finishers, there was no significant difference between the age group 55-64 and the other age groups in the 9-km road race; however, in the half-marathon, it is significantly shorter than the age group 17-24 and 25-34 (p < .05). On the other hand, the average finish time used by the top 10 finishers of all the age groups doesn’t show significant difference. Conclusions: In the aspect of running performance of top 10 runners, 34-year-old or a younger age is a better age for an athlete to achieve a better performance in the 9-km, half-marathon and marathon, and the performance will degrade here after, and female runners may show the downward more significantly after 54-year-old. However, in the aspect of finish time for all finishers, senior runners who keep regular life style and hours for training will achieve the competence of aerobic fitness not inferior to younger runners. |
