Physiology

Determinants for ultra marathon performance

There are many adaptations during endurance running. These consist of; increased Mitochondrial number and size, increased glycogen storage, increased ability to oxidise fat, less IIx fibres and more IIa muscle fibres, increased cardiac output and increased muscle capillarisation. These in turn then improve running economy and VO_2max which significantly enhances performance (Spurway & Wackerhage, 2006).

References:

Spurway, N., & Wackerhage, H. (2006). Genetics and molecular biology of muscle adaptation. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. �