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Motivational Differences between Half, Full and Ultramarathoners

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Motivation amongst half marathoners, full marathoners and ultramarathoners was compared to determine if distance of race distinguished type of motivation. Runners (N = 865) who had completed a footrace of at least 21.1 km completed an online survey assessing demographic and training variables. The Motivation of Marathoners Scale was used to assess motivation. Runners were classified according to the longest distance footrace they had completed in the last two years: half marathoners (H, 21.1 km; n=195), full marathoners (F, 42.2 km; n=315) and ultramarathoners (U, ≥ 50 km; n=355). Compared to half and full marathoners, ultramarathoners scored lower on Health Orientation and Weight Concern and higher on Life Meaning. Full marathoners scored higher than ultramarathoners on Personal Goal Achievement. Ultramarathoners reported more intrinsic motives for running than the other distance groups, shown by higher scores on psychological and social variables and lower scores on physical variables. This study provides information for coaches and professionals working with long distance runners so they may address specific motives and help their clients reach their running goals.
... 32 among ultramarathon runners, it differs because 80.5-km runners value health orientation more than 50-km runners. 64 Compared with half-marathon runners, ultramarathon runners are less motivated by the mental and physical health aspects of running. Ultrarunners exhibit high levels of involvement with running compared with other runners. ...
... 67 Personal goal achievement is crucial for ultramarathon runners but less for marathon runners. 49,64 Its importance diminishes with the increase in marathons completed and in age, 44 especially for runners in relationships, and increases with training frequency. 49,65 Ultrarunners are goal-oriented and, thus, focus more on finishing than winning. ...
... Specifically, men are more driven by personal goals, health orientation, and self-esteem, while weight concerns, recognition, and competition are less motivating. 64 Female runners are mainly motivated by individual achievement and health orientation. Psychological motivation, specifically self-esteem, life coping, and meaning, are slightly less substantial. ...
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This narrative review study seeks to consolidate the existing knowledge on motivational factors that influence marathon and ultramarathon runners. The primary aim is to collect and summarize the understanding of the factors that drive both marathon and ultramarathon runners. Furthermore the review seeks to explore how variables like gender, age and experience impact motivational drivers within these running communities to highlight the intricate nature of factors, in endurance running and stress the significance of tailored training approaches and community backing to enhance participation and achievement. The study aimed to thoroughly review research papers using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. After the evaluation of 302 publications that could potentially be relevant, 61 papers were selected for inclusion in the review. The investigation uncovers unique motivating patterns within these endurance sports communities. The desire for good health, physical fitness, and social interaction drives marathon runners. Their motivations develop as they train and become more involved in the running community. On the other hand, ultramarathon runners are motivated by internal psychological variables like self-esteem and personal exploration, which are significantly shaped by the ultramarathon community’s impact on their identity and running approach. Additional research indicates that gender, age, and experience affect the motivational elements in both groups differently. Specifically, experienced ultramarathon runners prioritize personal achievements and health more than time. This review underscores the intricacy of motivating elements in endurance running, highlighting the necessity for tailored methodologies in training and communal assistance to cultivate involvement and achievement.
... Specifically, they have been associated with positive outcomes, such as coping strategies [20], positive emotions [19], vitality and well-being [21], and task orientation and engagement in achievement goals [22]. A study on Australian triathletes found a prevalence of both extrinsic and intrinsic motives [23], while American ultra-marathoners were found to have more intrinsic motives (life meaning) than marathon and semi-marathon runners [24]. ...
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Sport psychology research of ultra-endurance (UE) athletes focused predominantly on their psychological characteristics, traits, and behaviors. However, their happiness and passion, as well as a unified framework for UE hobby phenomenon, were not sufficiently investigated. This study aims to: (1) identify the main contributors to happiness and passion of non-professional UE athletes; and (2) explore the possible relationships between types of sport passion, motivation, and athletic identity. During data collection, 116 non-professional UE athletes (mean age 43.66 years, SD = 8.97, 16.4% female) responded to an online questionnaire. Statistical analyses revealed that obsessive UE passion (p < 0.05) and amotivation (p < 0.05) predicted lower levels of happiness. A higher level of obsessive passion was predicted by extrinsic motivation (p < 0.005), amotivation (p < 0.05), and exclusivity identity (p < 0.001); a lower level was predicted by social identity (p < 0.05) and years in sports (p < 0.05). Weekly training hours and age correlated positively with passion strength, while amotivation was strongly negatively related to training volume. These results indicate that happiness of UE athletes depends on the type of sport passion formed and the quality of the underlying motivation: obsessive passion and amotivation seem to be the main enemies of happiness for UE athletes. This novel finding connecting passion, happiness, and motivation contributes to both a better understanding of the psychology of UE athletes and has practical implications for UE athletes, coaches, athletes’ social circles, and sport psychologists. Due to known maladaptive outcomes of obsessive passion, including its negative impact on overall well-being, health, and now also on happiness, its formation in UE athletes needs to be observed and prevented. While the study shows predictors of obsessive passion and high vs. low obsessive passion, future research should investigate how harmonious passion impacts athletes’ happiness, motivation, and identity. Likewise, research among the UE entourage would help to better understand the social impact of UE as a serious hobby and the formation of UE lifestyles. We also suggest our Temporal Framework for Progressive UE Engagement and Passion, which was further developed based on the results of this study, to be used and validated by sport psychologists.
... Contudo, diante desses resultados, é possível sugerir que estratégias para aumentar o engajamento de idosas e participantes com idades superioras a 70 anos devem ser consideradas entre os organizadores de eventos, de forma a possibilitar o incremento da prática no público.Os participantes do sexo masculino apresentaram melhor desempenho em relação ao sexo feminino, corroborando ao identificado em outras investigações(BESSON et al., 2022;HALLAM;AMORIM, 2022;JOYNER, 2017). Possíveis fatores que explicam esses resultados podem estar associados aos motivos para a prática da corrida de rua, na qual uma maior frequência de homens reporta busca pela performance, enquanto a maioria das mulheres indica a busca pela saúde e qualidade de vida(HANSON et al., 2015; WHITEHEAD et al., 2022). Os resultados podem estar relacionados à experiência de prática, envolvimento no treinamento e melhora de indicadores fisiológicos relacionados ao desempenho(BESSON et al., 2022;HALLAM;AMORIM, 2022;JOYNER, 2017). ...
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Apresentação É com grande entusiasmo que apresentamos o livro "Educação Física: Ciência e Perspectiva", uma obra que reúne uma variedade de abordagens e reflexões sobre temas relevantes no campo da Educação Física. Com uma visão ampla e integrativa, os capítulos desta obra exploram diferentes aspectos do conhecimento científico e oferecem perspectivas enriquecedoras sobre a área. Neste livro, mergulhamos em temas que vão desde a investigação das adaptações do sistema imunológico no ciclismo indoor até a compreensão das definições e implicações práticas dos corredores amadores e recreacionais. Também exploramos o cotidiano laboral dos personal trainers e as perspectivas futuras do desenvolvimento de atletas no futebol feminino. Além disso, analisamos questões relacionadas à remuneração dos treinadores de basquetebol de categoria de base e estratégias para aumentar os níveis de atividade física na população em geral. Por fim, investigamos a participação e o desempenho de idosos em corridas de rua. Ao abordar esses temas diversos, buscamos fornecer uma visão panorâmica e abrangente da Educação Física como uma ciência interdisciplinar e dinâmica. Os capítulos deste livro foram escritos por especialistas na área, que compartilham seus conhecimentos, pesquisas e experiências, enriquecendo o debate e contribuindo para o avanço do campo. "Educação Física: Ciência e Perspectiva" é destinado a estudantes, pesquisadores, profissionais da área e todos aqueles interessados em promover a saúde, o bem-estar e o desenvolvimento humano por meio da prática da Educação Física. Esperamos que este livro seja uma fonte de inspiração, reflexão e aprendizado, estimulando novas ideias e contribuindo para o progresso contínuo dessa área tão importante. Desejamos a todos uma leitura gratificante e enriquecedora! Vagner Miranda da Conceição
... A second important finding was a difference in the motivation to exercise. M/UM runners were mostly exercise motivated for performance reasons, whereas 10 km and HM runners were mostly motivated to exercise for recreational purposes, according with previous findings (Doppelmayr and Molkenthin, 2004;Hanson et al., 2015;Waśkiewicz et al., 2019a). Considering different performance levels (e.g., novice, recreational) and sub-groups (e.g., road-long distance, marathoners, ultramarathoners, trail and track runners), runners competing in longdistance events presented higher scores for psychological goals and meaning of life and self-esteem compared to the health-orientation found in novice and recreational runners (Besomi et al., 2017). ...
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Background Although runner’s profiles were previously investigated, information on the training frequency and training distance for short (5 km, 10 km) and long-distance (>21 km) running is absent. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between training routines and exercise habits of recreational endurance runners considering self-reported preferred race distance [10 km, half-marathon (HM), and marathon/ultra-marathon (M/UM)] subgroups. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, sampling 154 recreational runners of both sexes. A web survey was used for data collection regarding age, sex, preferred distance (10-km, HM, M/UM), training routines, exercise habits, and periodized training routines. The Chi-square test (Cramer’s V) and Kruskal-Wallis test (Eta-Squared η²) with effect sizes were used for comparisons between race distances. Results Significant differences were shown for anthropometric, training, and periodization characteristics. Highly significant differences were found between subgroups for the number of sessions, running kilometers, and training hours at all periods and within all four preparation conditions. M/UM runners were training more frequently, for longer durations, and ran greater distances each week. Conclusion This finding supports the notion that training habits and periodization characteristics are different for different race distances (10-km, half marathon, marathon, and ultramarathon).
... Evidence suggests that ultra-endurance runners are predominantly intrinsically motivated. The most important motivating factor appears to be the opportunity to achieve personal goals [158][159][160], with health-and self-esteemrelated reasons also significant (Table 1). It should be noted that the level of athlete ability is likely to influence the goalsetting process and that elite athletes with goals of attaining a finish position can have intense anxiety. ...
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Ultra-endurance running (UER) poses extreme mental and physical challenges that present many barriers to completion, let alone performance. Despite these challenges, participation in UER events continues to increase. With the relative paucity of research into UER training and racing compared with traditional endurance running distance (e.g., marathon), it follows that there are sizable improvements still to be made in UER if the limitations of the sport are sufficiently understood. The purpose of this review is to summarise our current understanding of the major limitations in UER. We begin with an evolutionary perspective that provides the critical background for understanding how our capacities, abilities and limitations have come to be. Although we show that humans display evolutionary adaptations that may bestow an advantage for covering large distances on a daily basis, these often far exceed the levels of our ancestors, which exposes relative limitations. From that framework, we explore the physiological and psychological systems required for running UER events. In each system, the factors that limit performance are highlighted and some guidance for practitioners and future research are shared. Examined systems include thermoregulation, oxygen delivery and utilisation, running economy and biomechanics, fatigue, the digestive system, nutritional and psychological strategies. We show that minimising the cost of running, damage to lower limb tissue and muscle fatigability may become crucial in UER events. Maintaining a sustainable core body temperature is critical to performance, and an even pacing strategy, strategic heat acclimation and individually calculated hydration all contribute to sustained performance. Gastrointestinal issues affect almost every UER participant and can be due to a variety of factors. We present nutritional strategies for different event lengths and types, such as personalised and evidence-based approaches for varying types of carbohydrate, protein and fat intake in fluid or solid form, and how to avoid flavour fatigue. Psychology plays a vital role in UER performance, and we highlight the need to be able to cope with complex situations, and that specific long and short-term goal setting improves performance. Fatigue in UER is multi-factorial, both physical and mental, and the perceived effort or level of fatigue have a major impact on the ability to continue at a given pace. Understanding the complex interplay of these limitations will help prepare UER competitors for the different scenarios they are likely to face. Therefore, this review takes an interdisciplinary approach to synthesising and illuminating limitations in UER performance to assist practitioners and scientists in making informed decisions in practice and applicable research.
... The wellness business accounts for 5.3% of worldwide economic production, according to research, and current wellness expenditures are larger than half of the overall global health expenditures amounting to $7.3 trillion (Yeung & Johnston, 2021). Therefore, motivation is typically the most important aspect of marathon running participation and performance (Hanson et al., 2015). In recreational activities, motivation is vital since it influences people's level of engagement, commitment and ultimately outcome of their efforts (Kilpatrick et al., 2005). ...
... Modoio et al., 2011), running distance (e.g. Hanson et al., 2015), and likelihood of injury (e.g. Martin & Horn, 2013). ...
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Purpose: To use a new methodological approach, the Kano method, to explore the role of passion and addiction across runner groups. Methodology/Design: Within the literature, passion/addiction has received scant attention; especially in relation to how they might influence long-term participation. Research has largely focused a one-dimensional measurement where passion/addiction is linear. We argue for deeper analysis using the Kano method. Findings: The Kano method does provide novel outcomes regarding the role of passion and addiction in running. Practical implications: The Kano approach can help stakeholders to better understand how the presence or absence of an activity influences runners’ attitudes and behavior. The functional/dysfunctional statements allow a deeper examination beyond one statement that a Likert scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree explains. Research contribution: The method to explore passion/addiction uses unidimensional Likert scales that suggest these constructs are bipolar (harmony – disharmony). Kano argues they do not lie on a continuum, which allows for a novel approach to explore these concepts beyond the traditional scales commonly used in psychometric research. Originality/Value: These results enhance prior research on runners as the influences of passion and addiction yielded unique results that cannot be explained without the use of the Kano method.
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Despite the well-documented health, social and economic benefits of sports participation, adults’ participation in organised sport declines as age increases. To date, no review has summarised the multi-level factors that influence adults’ decisions to participate in sport. Therefore, this systematic literature review aimed to: 1) determine the facilitators, constraints and negotiated constraints to adults’ (25–64 years) sport participation, and 2) summarise these factors according to the multiple levels of the social-ecological model. A total of 91 articles were identified following an extensive literature search conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were published over four decades (1983–2023), predominantly located in North America (n = 45; 49.5%), ranged from 5 to 10,646 participants, examined mainly middle-aged adults (Mrange = 35–44 years; n = 52; 48.6%), included more males (61.6%) than females (38.1%), and were conducted in primarily single sport contexts (n = 63; 69.2%). Overall, more unique facilitators (55 items) were identified than constraints (35 items) and negotiated constraints (13 items). The desire for improved health and enjoyment were the most frequently reported facilitators, and the main constraints were injury or illness and family commitments. Constraint negotiation strategies largely included individual (e.g., implementing financial strategies) and interpersonal factors (e.g., encouraging others to participate). This review highlighted the expansive multi-level factors that influence adults’ sports participation, reiterated the complexity of developing appropriate sport offerings, and identified a lack of studies examining non-sport participants. Strategies to support adult sport participation should focus on enjoyment, consider co-designed sport modifications to alleviate perceived constraints and integrate behaviour change theory to foster positive sport participation habits.
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Introduction A temporal sequence of hypothesized relationships was tested between self-based goals and their underlying reasons → stress appraisals → performance and emotions, among UK parkrunners. A conditional process model was also examined to ascertain the potential moderating role of self-determined reasons in explaining the indirect relationship of self-based goals predicting performance and emotions via stress appraisals. Methods Utilizing a prospective design, 324 parkrunners (Mage = 45.27; SD = 10.73 years) completed online measures of self-based goals, their underlying reasons at 7 days (T1), and stress appraisals at 24 h (T2), prior to their next UK parkrun. Performance data and discrete emotions (pride and shame) were reported 24 h post-parkrun (T3). Results Structural Equation Modeling revealed partial support for the hypothesized model. More specifically, findings suggested that: (1) T1 self-determined reasons underpinning a self-approach goal positively predicted T2 challenge appraisals and T3 pride, (2) T1 self-determined reasons for pursuing a self-avoidance goal corresponded to reduced T3 performance and shame, (3) T2 challenge and threat appraisals were found to positively relate to T3 pride, and (4) the slower parkrunners ran, the more shame they felt post-event. T2 challenge and threat appraisals were found to mediate the relationship between T1 self-determined reasons underlying a self-approach goal and T3 pride. Further analysis failed to support a conditional process model. Discussion Our findings suggest the intensity of pursuing a self-based goal does not matter at all, but underlying self-determined reasons are a key driver influencing stress appraisals, performance and subsequent emotions among parkrunners.
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