Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39702466›Full record

ArticleBMC research notes2024

Analysis of the 10-day ultra-marathon using a predictive XG boost model.

Beat Knechtle, Elias Villiger, David Valero, Lorin Braschler, Katja Weiss, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini, Marilia S Andrade, Volker Scheer, Pantelis T Nikolaidis, Ivan Cuk and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC research notes, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. A Systematic Review of the Factors Associated with Performance in Non-Elite Runners.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026
    Review
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Beat KnechtleMedbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, Vadianstrasse 26, 9001, St. Gallen, Switzerland. beat.knechtle@hispeed.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2412-9103
Elias VilligerInstitute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8371-1390
David ValeroUltra Sports Science Foundation, Pierre-Benite, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4133-4843
Lorin BraschlerFaculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-0131-2991
Katja WeissInstitute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1247-6754
Rodrigo Luiz VanciniMoveAgeLab, Physical Education Sport Center of Federal, University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1981-1092
Marilia S AndradePhysiology Department, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7004-4565
Volker ScheerUltra Sports Science Foundation, Pierre-Benite, France.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0074-3624
Pantelis T NikolaidisSchool of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8030-7122
Ivan CukFaculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7819-4384
Thomas RosemannInstitute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6436-6306
Mabliny ThuanyFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6858-1871

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveUltra-marathon running races are held as distance-limited or time-limited events, ranging from 6 h to 10 days. Only a few runners compete in 10-day events, and so far, we have little knowledge about the athletes' origins, performance, and event characteristics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the origin and performance of these runners and the fastest race locations. A machine learning model based on the XG Boost algorithm was built to predict running speed from the athlete´s age, gender, country of origin, country where the race takes place, the type of race and the kind of running surface. The model explainability tools were then used to investigate how each independent variable would influence the predicted running speed.

resultsThe model rated the origin of the athlete as the most important predictor, followed by age group, running on dirt path, gender, running on asphalt, and event location. Running on dirt path led to a significant reduction of running speed, while running on asphalt showed faster running speeds compared to other surfaces. Most athletes came from USA, followed by Russia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Most of the runners competed in USA. The fastest 10-day runners were from Finland and Israel. The fastest 10-day races were held in Greece.

conclusionsMost 10-day runners originated from USA, but the fastest runners originate from Finland and Israel. The fastest race courses were in Greece. Running on dirt paths leads to a significant reduction in running speed while running on asphalt leads to faster running speeds.

Indexed as

AthletesAthletic PerformanceMarathon RunningAdultFemaleHumansMachine LearningMaleMiddle AgedPhysical EnduranceRunningUnited StatesYoung AdultAge groupGenderMachine learningNationalityOriginPerformanceUltra-endurance

Identifiers

PMID39702466
PMCPMC11660604

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.