Will Women Outperform Men in Ultra-Endurance Events?
In recent years, women have been making significant strides in ultra-endurance events, challenging the notion that men have a natural advantage in these competitions. While men may still hold the overall speed and distance records, women are demonstrating remarkable endurance, pacing, and mental resilience, which are allowing them to stay close to and even surpass their male counterparts.
One of the most notable examples of this trend is in ultra-marathons. In 2019, the women’s winner of the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile trail run considered one of the most iconic and challenging ultra-marathons in the world, was only 23 minutes behind the men’s winner. This is a significant improvement from just a few years ago, when the women’s winner was often more than an hour behind the men’s winner.
Similarly, in long-distance swimming, women have been making gains. In the 2018 English Channel swim, a grueling 21-mile crossing of the English Channel, the top two women finishers were only a few minutes behind the top three men. In fact, the women’s winner, Sarah Thomas, was just 12 minutes behind the overall winner, a feat that would have been considered remarkable just a few years ago.
So, what’s behind this trend? Is it simply a matter of women getting faster and fitter, or is there something more at play? Researchers have been studying the differences between men and women in ultra-endurance events, and the answer appears to be more complex than just physical ability.
Pacing and Fatigue
One key factor is pacing. Women tend to pace themselves better than men, meaning they start at a slower and more sustainable pace and gradually increase their speed over time. This is in contrast to men, who often start fast and then bonk (hit the wall) later in the event. By pacing themselves better, women are able to conserve energy and avoid the dreaded “bonk,” which can be a major setback in ultra-endurance events.
Another factor is fatigue. Women tend to fatigue less than men, meaning they can maintain a consistent pace for longer periods of time. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including differences in muscle composition, hormonal fluctuations, and brain chemistry. By fatiguing less, women are able to maintain a strong pace and stay competitive over longer distances.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is another key factor. Women tend to use energy more efficiently than men, meaning they can generate the same amount of power and speed using less energy. This is likely due to differences in muscle fiber composition and metabolic pathways. By using energy more efficiently, women are able to conserve energy and maintain a strong pace over longer periods of time.
Mental Resilience
Finally, mental resilience plays a critical role in ultra-endurance events. Women tend to have greater mental resilience than men, meaning they are better able to cope with pain, fatigue, and other challenges during an event. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including differences in brain chemistry, hormonal fluctuations, and social and cultural factors. By having greater mental resilience, women are able to push through the tough moments and stay focused on their goals.
Recent Studies
Recent studies have confirmed these findings. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that women tend to pace themselves better than men in ultra-endurance events, conserving energy and maintaining a strong pace over longer periods of time. Another study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance found that women tend to fatigue less than men, likely due to differences in muscle composition and metabolic pathways.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while men may still hold the overall speed and distance records in ultra-endurance events, women are making significant strides in these competitions. By pacing themselves better, conserving energy, using energy more efficiently, and having greater mental resilience, women are able to stay close to and even surpass their male counterparts.
As researchers continue to study the differences between men and women in ultra-endurance events, we can expect to see even more impressive performances from women in the future. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see a woman win the Western States Endurance Run or the English Channel swim, and break the men’s records in the process.
Source:
https://thepfc.club/blogs/news/will-women-outperform-men-in-ultra-endurance-events
