Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2007

Publication Source

Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science

Abstract

The adverse effect of increasing age and/or body weight on distance run performance has been well documented. Accordingly, nearly all five kilometer (5K) road races employ age categories and, sometimes, a heavier body weight classification. Problems with such conventions include small numbers of runners within older age categories and the advantage given to the lightest runners within each weight category. We developed a 5K Handicap (5KH), a model that calculates an adjusted run time based on the inputs of actual 5K run time, age, and body weight for men and women. This adjusted time, then, can be compared between runners of different ages and body weights. The purpose of this paper was to explain, in detail, the derivation of the 5KH formula using published theoretical and empirical findings on age, body weight and distance run time relationships. To our knowledge, the 5KH is the first such model and overcomes the problems associated with being heavier within one weight class and having too few runners in certain age categories. We are currently undertaking large-scale validation studies and evaluation of its race day implementation.

Inclusive pages

49-59

ISBN/ISSN

1532-7841

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article of the same title that ran in the journal Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. The version of record may contain minor differences that have come about in the copy editing and layout processes.To view the version of record, go online or to an academic library.

Publisher

Society of Health and Physical Educators

Volume

11

Issue

1

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

allometry, age handicap, weight handicap, running

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