The gender difference in distance running performance has plateaued: an analysis of world rankings from 1980 to 1996.

PURPOSE: Annual world rankings from 1980-1996 were used i) to determine if the gender difference in distance running events has stabilized, and ii) to examine whether the relative decline in pace as race distance increases is different between men and women. World best (WB) and 100th best times in the 1500 m and the marathon (42 km) for each of the 17 years were the indices used to represent overall trends in men's vis-à-vis women's distance running. METHODS: These data were analyzed using regression analyses to develop and compare gender-specific equations. In the 1500 m, the gender difference in WB times (11.1 +/- 1.1%) was consistent from 1980 to 1996, and the slight rate of improvement in event depth (i.e., 100th rankings) was similar for men and women. RESULTS: In the marathon, the gender difference in WB times (11.2 +/- 0.9%) was essentially the same as for the 1500 m. In 1980, the marathon was a fairly new event for the women, having only just been sanctioned by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF). As a consequence, the depth of the field increased quickly from 1980 to 1984. Since the mid-1980s, the rate of improvement for women in 100th-ranked times has leveled off to equal that of men. The average declines in relative pace for men and women from the 1500 m to the 10 km to the marathon were found to be remarkably similar with no diminishing of the gender difference as race distance increased. CONCLUSIONS: Based on worldwide indices of competitive distance running, the gender difference in distance running performance has plateaued in recent years. Concomitantly, over the past decade, opportunities for women to train and compete have approached parity with those of men. It is likely that the current gender difference in performance will remain fairly constant because of biological differences between men and women that give men an advantage in distance running.

Bone mineral density and body composition of the United States Olympic women's field hockey team.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate total bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition (% fat) in world class women field hockey players, members of the 1996 United States Olympic team. METHODS: Whole body BMD (g/cm2) and relative body fatness (% fat) were assessed by dual energy x ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPX-L unit with software version 1.3z. Body composition was also estimated by hydrostatic weighing and the sum of seven skinfolds. RESULTS: Mean (SD) BMD was 1.253 (0.048) g/cm2 which is 113.2 (4.0)% of age and weight adjusted norms. Estimates of body composition from the three methods were similar (statistically non-significant): 16.1 (4.4)% fat from dual energy x ray absorptiometry, 17.6 (3.2)% from hydrostatic weighing, and 16.9 (2.6)% from the sum of seven skinfolds. Mean fat free mass was approximately 50 kg. CONCLUSIONS: The mean whole body BMD value for members of the 1996 United States Olympic women's field hockey team is one of the highest reported for any women's sports team. Moreover, the mean fat free mass per unit height was quite high and % fat was low. In this group of world class sportswomen, low % fat was not associated with low BMD.