Abstract

In 1987 92 male and 18 female participants crossed Germany from north to south in a 1000 km-race in 20 days, daily running 50 km. The purpose of this study is to examine the frequency of the different blood groups and the colours of hair skin and eyes as human genetical markers, as former investigators had postulated a little more fitness of sportsmen and sportswomen with bloodgroup 0 among the endurance disciplines. All parameters were determined by conventional genetical and anthropological methods. In the examined group the frequency of the single blood groups (ABO and Rh) and the distribution of the skin colours didnt differ from the European norm, but in comparison to standard middle European populations an amazing significant accumulation of the pigmentary type of the so-called crossed complexion (=dark hair and bright eyes) could be found among ultra-long-distance runners. This astonishing phenomenon might be explained by the fact, that this pigmentary type of crossed complexion is correlated to the psychological trait of introversion. Introverted sportsmen on the other side tend to enjoy the loneliness of ultra-long distance running, as a lot of psychological studies suggest. Verf.-Referat