The dominance of Kenyans in distance running
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Date
2012-09-25
Authors
Yannis, P Pitsiladis
Onywera, V.O.
Evelina, Geogiades
William, O'Connell
Boit, Michael K.
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Abstract
Kenyan runners, and especially those originating from the Kalenjin tribe, have dominated international middleand
long-distance running for over 40 years, prompting significant interest in the factors contributing to their
success. Proposed explanations have included environmental factors, psychological advantage and favourable
physiological characteristics, which may be genetically conferred or environmentally determined. Running is
inherent within local Kenyan tradition and culture, and the Kenyan way of life, which involves many outdoor
activities and pastimes in addition to mostly unfavourable living conditions, is conducive to enhanced distance
running performance. Despite economic deprivation, Kenya has produced world and international running champions
repeatedly over the past few decades; these champions have become role models for the younger generations,
who take up running in the hope of a better future for themselves. Favourable environmental
conditions such as altitude, diet and anthropometry, in addition to the motivational and socio-economic factors
mentioned above, have all been proposed as possible reasons for the unsurpassed achievements of Kenyan distance
runners. However, the fact that the majority of internationally successful runners originate from a small
tribe that accounts for approximately 3% of the total Kenyan population also points to a possible genetic
component. Whether this is subject to influence from other co-factors, such as altitude or training effects acquired
during childhood, remains as yet unresolved.
Description
Publisher version (Cambridge Journals Online) available at http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1478061504000362
Keywords
Kenya, Athletics, Environment, demographics