The relationship between endurance performance and physiology is well established. Most studies of this relationship do not examine the relationship of training to performance and physiology. In this study, 5 female subjects were recruited to provide training data in the four weeks immediately preceding a local 10k event (TC10k). Their training was quantified according to the TRIMP model (Banister et al.) in an attempt to examine the relationships between training, performance, and physiology. An additional 8 female subjects were recruited in order to confirm the relationships between performance and physiology. All subjects (n=13) raced in the TC10k, and underwent an evaluation of VO2max, LT and RE. The composite measures of vVO2max and vLT were also calculated. TC10k performance ranged from 4.31 to 2.71 m·s-1. VO2max (54.0±6.9 mL·min-1 · kg-1), vVO2max (4.00±0.45 m·s -1), LT (42.9±5.1 mL·min-1 · kg-1) and vLT (3.13+0.36 m·s-1) were all significantly correlated to race performance (r2=0.76-0.82, p<0.05). Due to the small training ‘n’, a statistical analysis of the relationships of training to performance and physiology was not indicated. This study employed a number of changes to the TRIMP calculation of training, which bear further examination.

The purpose of this study was to determine why South African long-distance runners start and continue to run long distances, what perceived psychological benefits and negative effects they experience as a result of their involvement in the sport, and what thoughts and emotions are associated with the runner's high. Questionnaires were sent to 2 000 1992 Two Oceans Marathon participants and 777 responded. Results show that South African long-distance runners start running chiefly for physical fitness and health reasons, and continue for these reasons as well as psychological benefit reasons. As a result of their involvement in the sport, they experience psychological benefits such as a positive mood, positive self-image and positive mental outlook. When unable to run, these benefits are reversed. They also experience negative effects such as relationship problems because of long-distance running. Many thoughts and emotions are associated with the runner's high, but most define it as an euphoric feeling / Art History, Visual Arts & Musicology / M.A. (Psychology)

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Physical Education, Health, and Sport Studies, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-60).

The purpose of this study was to determine why South African long-distance runners start and continue to run long distances, what perceived psychological benefits and negative effects they experience as a result of their involvement in the sport, and what thoughts and emotions are associated with the runner's high. Questionnaires were sent to 2 000 1992 Two Oceans Marathon participants and 777 responded. Results show that South African long-distance runners start running chiefly for physical fitness and health reasons, and continue for these reasons as well as psychological benefit reasons. As a result of their involvement in the sport, they experience psychological benefits such as a positive mood, positive self-image and positive mental outlook. When unable to run, these benefits are reversed. They also experience negative effects such as relationship problems because of long-distance running. Many thoughts and emotions are associated with the runner's high, but most define it as an euphoric feeling / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (Psychology)

China Run is a 92 1/2 minute documentary film which portrays an ultramarathon runner's record-setting 2,125 mile run across China in 53 days, starting at the Great Wall north of Beijing and concluding in Guangjhou (Canton). It is a story of the difficulties, both physical and emotional, suffered by the runner, as well as the story of his encounters with the people of China.

Text in English / Regular exercise has significant physical and psychological health benefits yet, paradoxically, may also have harmful effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical and psychological health risks of distance running, a popular participation sport in South Africa. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the personality and motivational antecedents of running addiction and its influence, in turn, on self-reported overuse injuries and upper respiratory tract infections in 220 athletic club members. The predictors and physical health effects of customary training load were also assessed. It was found that perfectionistic concerns, Type A behaviour pattern, and task goal orientation had a direct, positive impact on running addiction, which predicted higher running injury scores. In contrast, training workload (Volume × Intensity) was inversely related to injury risk. Neither running addiction nor any training load variables influenced infectious illness susceptibility. The findings of this study indicate that maladaptive perfectionism, Type A behaviour, and achievement goal orientation may be risk factors for running addiction, which may, in turn, contribute to increased injury incidence in South African distance runners. Conversely, heavier training loads may be protective against injury occurrences in this population. The results of this research may help to enhance current understanding of the possible health hazards of distance running. This knowledge may have practical implications for the health and well-being of runners of diverse levels of ability and experience. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)