**Ethiopia vs Kenya. A comparison of two systems.**

NativeSon wrote:

I am not sure whether this article has been posted here before. If it has, I offer my apologies. I thought it makes good analytical reading. Enjoy.

http://scienceofsport.blogspot.com/2007/06/ethiopian-running-dynasty-what-is.html

It's not "an article" it's a post on a blog. It's also not "good analytical reading" at all. Look like it was posted by a dyestat type. I'll quote the post title "Training Differences" (which doesn't touch on any training differences at all).

"2. Training differences"

"At this point, we leave the admin and get onto something a little more relevant to everyone out there. It is based largely on rumour and what I have read, because unfortunately, I'm yet to verify it with actual observation and fact - hopefully someday!"

It says nothing about the huge training volume the Ethiopians (and Kenyans) put in, instead says they spend a "great deal" of time on plyometrics, most likely what the author wants to hear, in light of the self-disqualifying caveat "It is based largely on rumour"

The link is useless. Thank you very little.

Disagree with that. Ross Tucker is an exercise physiologist from South Africa who posts sometimes on this board. Interesting article / read, or call it a blog if it makes you happier.

AC wrote:

Disagree with that. Ross Tucker is an exercise physiologist from South Africa who posts sometimes on this board. Interesting article / read, or call it a blog if it makes you happier.

Hi Ross. If your science and posts are based on "rumour" then you should just not post here anymore.

IT may be a blog but that doesn't diminish the contents. IT makes the contents no lesser.

Hi everyone

I came across this thread and thought I'd reply.

I'm sorry, Deception Game, that you didn't enjoy the post (because, yes, it was a post, but I really don't see the point or the relevance of that). I would like to think that "useless" is a little strong, though! Perhaps it was useless for your purposes, and you were looking for something else - maybe in the future, we can discuss it instead of throwing out suggestions to stay away?

Just for the record, that particular article/post was intended to discuss the administrative issues as well as some of the training differences. I am a sports scientist, but I also have a Post Grad in sports management, so apart from a sole focus on the science (which I'd gladly do, if you would like to have a real 'conversation), that post was a bridge between the administrative and the physiological/training differences.

In hindsight, I have also realised that I actually sold myself a little short using the word "rumour" - that was an overly prudent approach, because it's not rumour. It is based on first hand reports, discussions, collaborations and publications with scientists and coaches who have experience working in these countries, as well as conference proceedings. We are currently in the process of setting up relationships with Kenyan Universities to allow more research into East African running, which was the origin of the "hopefully soon" remark, where I hope to travel to consolidate those relationships. In fact, there is an entire 'Centre for East African Running Studies', which you may have heard of.

But to AC and NativeSon especially, thanks for your interest and read, it's always good to open up discussion on such as interesting topic. And I'll certainly post again

Regards

Ross