Why aren't the other runners as light as Kiprop, doesn't being lighter help you run faster? At what point is being light too light?
Why aren't the other runners as light as Kiprop, doesn't being lighter help you run faster? At what point is being light too light?
In terms of physics, lighter is faster. But at some point, you start do undermine your strength and overall health if you get too light/lean. Finding the balance is tricky. The good news is that you don't have to be super light to be super fast.
Absolutely lighter is the better! Look at Kipchoge; 5-6 and around 115 or so. Centro is a taller 5-9 but goes 132 - 135 or so.
Runners have big, powerful cardiovascular engines - the less weight you tow the faster you are over longer distances.
I suspect it's been that way from the time that man first started running long distances.
How do you explain Makhoulfi?
loolakalamoa wrote:
How do you explain Makhoulfi?
Yep there are definitely exceptions to the general rule.
loolakalamoa wrote:
Why aren't the other runners as light as Kiprop, doesn't being lighter help you run faster? At what point is being light too light?
https://youtu.be/sHexM8VbgSM
The longer you run the more running economy comes into the picture. The shorter you run, the more power per weight has to say. If you do 1500m/4min running it is much more about power per weight. If you loose power when loosing weight it is of no use. But running marathon, you have a limited storage of glucogen which will be emptied and the less total energy you need the better. If you are light you will need to do less total work and then need less total energy. In 1500m this is not an issue, neither in 10k, but beginning to be an issue in HM.
Obviously being overweight reduces any performance. Actually, looking at the BMI for different race distances of top runners can give an indication of when weight start to count.
Jack Daniels have some formula for weight loss and VDOT. Too little fat on the body increases the chance of injury
Most people should be lighter in order to run better, but there is a ceiling. Genes matter. An actn3 xx can het away with more muscles and heavier framw without losing endurance. The genetic version is found in up to 35% of asians, 17% og europeans and 1% of africans.
Then why aren't there good asian distance runners?