Abstract

Age, height, weight and body mass index (weight/height2) of women finalists from seven running events (100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000m and marathon) are analysed. The data on 174 runners are derived from four Olympics (Munich, Montreal, Moscow and Los Angeles). On average endurance runners (3000 m and marathon are 4.8 years older, 6 cm shorter and 5 kg lighter for their height than sprinters (200 m and 400 m). A consistent trend of decreasing body mass index with run was observed; adjusting for height the marathon runners were 7 kg lighter than 100 m sprinters.