Abstract

Of a total of 2852 male finishers in the 1979 Melbourne Marathon 730 (26 ) returned a survey questionnaire on dietary and training habits, compared with 102 (67 ) of the 152 female finishers. Regression analysis was carried out on the numerical variables plus those categorical variables correlated with performance. Male respondents were, on average, more experienced than their female counterparts, being 5 years older, and having completed 1.1 versus 0.7 marathons; as well, 45 of male respondents had previously completed a marathon compared with 30 of female respondents. Females were more likely to be vegetarian and to supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals than were males; also among females vegetarianism was associated with faster times. Among males carbohydrate loading was associated with a faster time: there was no association between loading and performance in females. Though temperatures during the race reached 29 degrees C less than 20 males took adequate quantities of fluid. Females were more likely to have taken adequate fluid and, though in females adequate fluid intake was not associated with faster times, it was in males. For females weight and marathon experience were also significant explanatory variables. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)