Pacing strategies in the ‘Athens Classic Marathon’: Physiological and psychological aspects Despite the increasing scientific interest in the relationship between motivation and the performance of the marathon, there are a few information about the combination of motivation with physiological and psychological parameters. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the role of physical fitness and training properties at the pacing in the ‘Athens Classic Marathon’, the marathon that is held on the original line of the marathon. The study participants of this race in 2017 (women, n = 26, age 40.8 ± 9.4 years; Men, N = 130, Age 44.1 ± 8.6 years) were analyzed at their pace during the race, asking questions based on the motivation of Marathon Scale’(MOMS) answered and conducted a number of physiological tests. Women and faster runners ran balanced. The motivation was associated with a higher aerobic capacity and less muscle strength in men, but not in women. Men having a more uniform pace achieved higher values for psychological tackling, self-esteem, life consent, recognition and competition as their colleagues with less uniform pace.
In view of the rising number of participants in marathon runs, these findings can help a wide range of professionals (fitness trainers, physiologists, psychologists) work together with runners to optimize the pace of their athletes. The whole work can be found under www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fhys.2018.01539/abstract