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The Role of Nationality in Ultra-Endurance Sports: The Paradigm of Cross-Country Skiing and Long-Distance Running

Author

Listed:
  • Beat Knechtle

    (Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
    Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Thomas Rosemann

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis

    (Exercise Physiology Laboratory, 18450 Nikaia, Greece
    School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Although the variation of performance by nationality in endurance sports such as marathon has been well studied, little information exists so far on the role of nationality on performance in ultra-endurance sports. The aim of the present study was to review the role of nationality on cross-country skiing and ultra-endurance running. Scopus and PubMed were searched using the syntax “nationality AND (ultra-endurance OR ultra-marathon OR cross-country skiing) in 1/4/2020. This search identified 17 articles, whose references were further examined for relevant literature. It was observed that Russian athletes dominated ultra-endurance running and cross-country skiing races. It was shown that these races were in other countries, where it was assumed that only the best Russians competed. Potential explanations could be misuse of performance enhancing substances, historical, climate-geographical and psychophysiological (e.g., combination of genetic and social factors). In summary, recent studies found a dominance of Russian athletes in specific races (i.e., ‘Comrades Marathon’, ‘Vasaloppet’, and ‘Engadin Ski Marathon’) and disciplines (i.e., ultra-marathon running, cross-country skiing) over a period of several decades. Future studies are need to investigate other events and other sport disciplines to confirm this Russian dominance.

Suggested Citation

  • Beat Knechtle & Thomas Rosemann & Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis, 2020. "The Role of Nationality in Ultra-Endurance Sports: The Paradigm of Cross-Country Skiing and Long-Distance Running," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2543-:d:342736
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Riordan, Jim, 1987. "Sports medicine in the Soviet Union and German Democratic Republic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 19-26, January.
    2. Beat Knechtle & Volker Scheer & Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis & Caio Victor Sousa, 2020. "Participation and Performance Trends in the Oldest 100-km Ultramarathon in the World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mabliny Thuany & David Valero & Elias Villiger & Pedro Forte & Katja Weiss & Pantelis T. Nikolaidis & Marília Santos Andrade & Ivan Cuk & Caio Victor Sousa & Beat Knechtle, 2023. "A Machine Learning Approach to Finding the Fastest Race Course for Professional Athletes Competing in Ironman ® 70.3 Races between 2004 and 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Aldo Seffrin & Claudio A. B. Lira & Rodrigo L. Vancini & Douglas A. T. Santos & Cathia Moser & Elias Villiger & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle & Lee Hill & Marilia S. Andrade, 2021. "Italians Are the Fastest 3000 m Open-Water Master Swimmers in the World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-9, July.

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