Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners: what makes them so good?

Wilber, Randall L.; Pitsiladis, Yannis P.

doi:10.1123/ijspp.7.2.92

Cited by 163Genetics and Physical PerformanceHigh Altitude and HypoxiaSports Performance and Training

Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners: what makes them so good?

Wilber, Randall L., Pitsiladis, Yannis P.·2012·International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

DOI 10.1123/ijspp.7.2.92

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Abstract

Since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners have dominated the middle- and long-distance events in athletics and have exhibited comparable dominance in international cross-country and road-racing competition. Several factors have been proposed to explain the extraordinary success of the Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners, including (1) genetic predisposition, (2) development of a high maximal oxygen uptake as a result of extensive walking and running at an early age, (3) relatively high hemoglobin and hematocrit, (4) development of good metabolic "economy/efficiency" based on somatotype and lower limb characteristics, (5) favorable skeletal-muscle-fiber composition and oxidative enzyme profile, (6) traditional Kenyan/Ethiopian diet, (7) living and training at altitude, and (8) motivation to achieve economic success. Some of these factors have been examined objectively in the laboratory and field, whereas others have been evaluated from an observational perspective. The purpose of this article is to present the current data relative to factors that potentially contribute to the unprecedented success of Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners, including recent studies that examined potential links between Kenyan and Ethiopian genotype characteristics and elite running performance. In general, it appears that Kenyan and Ethiopian distance-running success is not based on a unique genetic or physiological characteristic. Rather, it appears to be the result of favorable somatotypical characteristics lending to exceptional biomechanical and metabolic economy/efficiency; chronic exposure to altitude in combination with moderate-volume, high-intensity training (live high + train high), and a strong psychological motivation to succeed athletically for the purpose of economic and social advancement.

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Authors: Wilber, R. L., & Pitsiladis, Y. P.
Affiliations: United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (US)
ORCID: Wilber, Randall L.
Pitsiladis, Yannis P.
Venue: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Published: 2012-06
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Pages: 92-102
ISSN: 1555-0265 (ISSN-L)
1555-0273
DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.7.2.92
OpenAlex: W2127771407
Cited by: 163
References: 32
Citations by year: 2026: 15 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 1.58
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
University of Brighton Repository (University of Brighton) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Physical Performance
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › High Altitude and Hypoxia
Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords: genetic susceptibility, VO2max, hemoglobin and hematocrit, metabolic economy, somatotype, skeletal muscle fiber composition, oxidative enzymes, altitude training, diet, motivation, cross country running, long-distance running
MeSH terms: Acclimatization, Altitude, Competitive Behavior, Diet, DNA, Mitochondrial, Energy Metabolism, Ethiopia, Genotype, Hemoglobins, Humans, Kenya, Motivation, Muscle Contraction, Oxygen Consumption, Phenotype, Physical Endurance, Running, Socioeconomic Factors, Muscle, Skeletal, Chromosomes, Human, Y, Black People, Genetic Association Studies

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Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners: what makes them so good?

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