Predictive Importance of Anthropometric and Training Data in Recreational Male Ironman Triathletes and Marathon Runners: Comment on the Study by Gianoli,et al. (2012)

Abstract

Anthropometric and training data have been reported as statistically significant predictors of race performance in endurance events. However, it is well established that physiological characteristics, i.e., maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), the use of a high percentage of VO₂max during sustained exercise, and work efficiency are predominant predictors of performance in those events. Thus, the essential issue is whether the anthropometric and training data give additional predictive power beyond these other measures.