TY - JOUR T1 - African cycling: dormant to dominant? JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 965 LP - 966 DO - 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095138 VL - 49 IS - 15 AU - Jarrad Van Zuydam AU - Jonathan Patricios Y1 - 2015/08/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/15/965.abstract N2 - That is the current world marathon record for men. Since 1960, the record has fallen regularly and the 2 h mark is now talked about as a target rather than a barrier. African distance runners have repeatedly lowered this record, especially in the past decade. Among the 100 fastest marathon times ever, 99 are by African-born athletes.African distance runners do not seem to have superior aerobic abilities but they have better running economy than their Caucasian counterparts, even when matched for race time.1 The oxygen consumption cost of running is lower in African runners and perhaps this is related to their anthropometry. Eritrean runners have lower body mass indexes (BMIs), smaller maximal calf circumferences and longer shins.2 In Kenya, it is not unusual for school-going boys to have BMIs as low as 15.5 kg/m2, and many of these children will walk and run over 10 km to school and back each day.3 Heavier legs come at great cost to running economy, but the effect is even greater … ER -