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lactate threshold, andefficiency finding that the first factor—maximal oxygen consumption—wasresponsible for the performance difference. Dollman’s research findings(2003), which included citing the work of other experts, listedgender-differentiated anatomical features of heart volume, haematocrit,plasma volume, total muscle mass, and others that can affect runningperformance.

Following presentation of the results of the literature review on thebiomechanical differences between men and women, specifically thosedifferences that can affect marathon running, selected research intothe two areas of interest in applied sports biomechanics—runningperformance and injuries—was presented. Lipsky’s work (2001), includingthe citation of Hennig’s research (2001), involved a study ofbiomechanical factors in the design of athletic footwear. The studyrevealed that the impact of running was independent of whether therunning shoes tested were designed specifically for men or for women.The study also indicated that men had significantly higher heel loads,but less midfoot loads. Lipsky’s recommendation was that women shouldselect running shoes that protect against overpronation. Bartold (2004)suggests that running footwear is designed around the biomechanicalrequirements of men and that the design could be responsible forinjuries in women.

Parfit’s work (1994) in comparing running injuries of middledistance and marathon runners was used to show that marathoners—bothmale and female—may be more susceptible to injuries such as back andhip problems than are middle distance runners. Taunton et al. (2002)and others considered gender issues in running injuries and identifiedthe most common types with difference percentages of injuries shown formales and females.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the common evolutionary development of male and female humans,which the studies of American scientists Dennis Bramble and DanielLieberman indicate involved running as a significant component, theanatomic differences between adult men and woman result in differentperformance capabilities in physical activity, in general, and inmarathon running, specifically. The research reviewed for this essayconfirmed that performance differences between men and women areanatomical in nature and cannot be overcome by training alone. Theresearch indicated that marginal improvements in marathon performanceand reduction in injuries from marathons among women may be facilitatedby biomechanical interventions aimed at designing optimal runningfootwear for women.

The conclusion based on the research is that, due to anatomicaldifferences, men will continue to excel over women in marathon runningin terms of better performance and reduced injuries—the two dimensionsof applied sports biomechanics. This conclusion echoes the quoteattributed to Norway's perennial marathon winner Grete Waitz (Holden,2004), as stated earlier: 'As long as women are women, I don't thinkthey will surpass men.'

As presented earlier, Holschen (2004) claims that the femaleathlete remains less well understood and less well studied comparedwith male athletes, especially in the areas of performance factors,repetitive stress, and acute injuries,' suggesting that the newmil本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。