Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Appreciate the key evolutionary adaptations of human anatomy for bipedalism.
2. Understand the main anatomical and biomechanical determinants (and limits) of long-distance running performance.
3. Consider the specific physiological demands of the marathon footrace.
4. Apply basic knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics in evaluating the potential for technology to influence running performance.
5. Recognise the opportunity offered by wearable sensors (e.g., activity trackers and GPS-enabled running watches) to garner insights into training behaviours and competitive running performance.
6. Discuss the scientific basis of online (mis-) information sources related to endurance running.
Indicative Module Content:
Week 1: Introduction to key concepts (biomechanics, anatomical reference terminology, evolutionary and anthropological principles).
Week 2: The evolution of Human form (anatomy).
Week 3: The biomechanics of human locomotion.
Week 4: The physiology of long-distance running.
Week 5: The marathon footrace as a modern test of endurance running capability.
Week 6: Online MCQ
Week 7: The determinants of marathon performance.
Week 8: The evolution of running footwear.
Week 9: Wearable sensing, ‘digital doping’ and data analytics in marathon running.
Week 10: Means and methods of marathon training (empirical evidence vs ‘expert’ advice)
Week 11: Fueling a marathon: in-race nutrition.
Week 12: Ultra-endurance: ’hitting the wall’ and the limits of human running endurance.