Physiological limits to endurance exercise performance: influence of sex

Abstract

This brief review summarizes factors associated with elite endurance performance, trends in distance running training, and participation by men and more recently women. It is framed in the context of key ideas about the physiological determinants of endurance performance but also touches on some historical and sociological factors relevant to the overall topic. Historical trends that served to increase women's participation in elite endurance events are also discussed as is the role of increased volume and intensity of training. The rapid improvement in women's world record marathon times in the 1970s and 80s are emblematic of these trends and represent a combination of increased training volume and intensity and more competitive opportunities. This occurred as bans on participation by women in endurance events were lifted. For men these same trends evolved over a much longer time frame. The main physiological factor responsible for 10-12% slower times in women compared to men at the elite level are also considered and probably centre aroundV̇O2 max .

Relationship between Classic Physiological Variables and Running Performance in Recreational Runners

“…This study included male and female recreational runners. It is well established that _VO 2 max in women is lower than that in men because of higher body fat and lower red cell mass for a given body weight (Joyner, 2017). However, there seems to be no sex diŠerence in relationship between classic physiological variables and performance (Joyner, 1993(Joyner, , 2017.…”

“…It is well established that _VO 2 max in women is lower than that in men because of higher body fat and lower red cell mass for a given body weight (Joyner, 2017). However, there seems to be no sex diŠerence in relationship between classic physiological variables and performance (Joyner, 1993(Joyner, , 2017. In fact, the signiˆcant relationship between _VO 2 max (men: r＝0.856, women: r＝0.821) and RE (men: r＝-0.654, women: r＝-0.640) and vAT was unchanged between men and women ( Figure 1).…”

Exercise‐induced quadriceps muscle fatigue in men and women: effects of arterial oxygen content and respiratory muscle work

“…). A concern with the previous studies is the predominant or exclusive use of male subjects, which is pertinent given the recent awareness of important sex‐based differences in exercise physiology (Joyner, ).…”

Longitudinal Analysis of Marathon Runners’ Psychological State and Its Relationship With Running Speed at Ventilatory Thresholds

“…Much of the sport physiology literature extensively descried the physiological variables related to marathon performance (Joyner, 1991(Joyner, , 2017. Among other factors, finishing time is particularly associated to Aerobic Threshold (AeT) and Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) speeds.…”