The Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of a Kenyan World-Class Long-Distance Runner: A Case Study

The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological and morphological characteristics J. Ndambiri, a Kenyan world-class long-distance runner (10,000 m personal best: 27:04.79), with runners belonging national corporate team (29:32.18±0:30.35). Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate, blood lactate concentration stride frequency were measured during submaximal exercise on treadmill (270, 290, 310, 330, 350 370 m/min velocities 1% inclination). Peak oxygen (VO2peak) determined maximal test. In addition, parameters (length thigh shank, maximum circumference cross-sectional area trunk, shank muscles) using tape measure magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ndambiri superior Japanese in terms not only running economy (65.0 vs 69.8 ±1.9 ml/kg/min at 330 m/min), but also (1.50 2.59±0.74 mmol/l rate (159.8 170.8±4.0 bpm m/min) test VO2peak (80.8 76.3±2.4 ml/kg/min). quite different from those runners. particular, Ndambiri's much smaller than that (32.0 35.8±1.8 cm). Furthermore, gastrocnemius muscle, which composes significantly correlated cost (r=0.700). These findings indicate performance is attributable various factors such as higher VO2peak, lower well economy. future, it will be necessary clarify supporting these relationships between variables characteristics.