Does gaining muscle mass improve running performance?

UmbrellaMan wrote:

This is something I have been thinking about recently and I can't really find an answer. It seems like most of the thing we do in training are to improve energy metabolism (that might not be the correct phrasing, idk i'm not a scientist). We do lactate threshold, cruise intervals, long runs, VO2Max. Those workouts aren't building muscle mass, right? Or at least don't build very much muscle mass?

So let's take Galen Rupp for example. Would he actually benefit from gaining muscle mass? Other than injury prevention or increased running economy would it really help him. I guess my question is if there is an increase in muscle mass, would that muscle mass be able to produce more energy and therefore increase running performance?

Rupp has done everything possible to maximize his running performance.

No.

Weight matters more than almost anything.

Strength helps, so naturally a little mass comes with it. Farah has all you need.

Also, weightlifting contributes to increased testosterone.

bymp

Thank you

Mr. Oakley wrote:

No.

Weight matters more than almost anything.

The median weight of the top 8 men in the last Olympic 10k was 119 lbs and Rupp was the heaviest at 134.

Mo Farah 5'9" 128

Paul Kipngetich Tanui 5'6" 104

Tamarit Tolat 5'11" 130

Yigrem Demelash 5'6" 106

Galen Rupp 5'11" 134

Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei ? ?

Bedan Karoki Muchiri 5'6" 119

Zersenay Tadese 5'3" 119

Notice how those little African men are all under five foot six. Yeah that is not attainable for an American Male you idiot. Stop spreading toxic information. They are probably deprived of nutrients with stunted growth due to poverty and will die early. You have to be well fueled and strong to run well in America. That's why Rupp was the best.

bored man over board wrote:

Notice how those little African men are all under five foot six. Yeah that is not attainable for an American Male you idiot. Stop spreading toxic information. They are probably deprived of nutrients with stunted growth due to poverty and will die early. You have to be well fueled and strong to run well in America. That's why Rupp was the best.

Which is misinformation, the height or the weight? Did I say it was attainable for an American Male?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is 6'11".

Is that toxic misinformation? Am I an idiot for listing his height? Am I saying that's attainable for an American Male?

In order to benefit from the weight gain the added mass has to do more than just carry the added weight. A tall order for someone that is already fit.

This goes for sprinters also. As Ralph Mann says, “physics always wins!”

In America, it does help to be strong. Muscle mass not so much. You cannot be incapable of 5 pushups, but you definitely won't be benching 225. Look at the top HS runners (Outside of Nico): they are all very lean but still have a bit of very lean muscle to help them. It is all about weight. Look up what Meb has said about his weight. If he was anything over a certain weight, he felt he couldn't run to his potential.

It depends on genetics! Half of the elite kayakers and cross country skiers are actn3 xx. Few runners and few africans are. That single genetic variant affect people's capillary density when gaining muscle. People with the mutated xx can gain muscle while keeping their oxygen delivery. A lot of asians have it, but almost none from africa