Needs Analysis

Evaluation of the sport

Movement Analysis

Movement analysis of the London Marathon outlines that it is a whole body activity, involving continuous leg and arm movements (Baechle & Earle, 2008). Running is a unidirectional activity however it may also be viewed as a rotational movement in biomechanical terms. As described by Elphinston (2008), the pelvis and spine continuously rotate and counter rotate during running in order to facilitate forward propulsion. The primary muscles involved in running are the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus maximus,  iliopsoas, gastrocnemius and soleus. The postural, arm and shoulder muscles are also involved (Baechle & Earke, 2008). For successful performance in the marathon, good cardiovascular endurance is needed (Costill, 1972). Having good core stability is beneficial as it improves running performance (Sato & Mokha, 2009). 

Physiological Analysis

The main physiological requirement of the sport is cardiovascular endurance therefore the aerobic system is primarily used (Costill, Branam, Eddy & Sparks, 1971). There is no recovery time during a marathon as it is a continuous activity. 

Injury Analysis

The knee is the predominant site of injury for long-distance runners (van Gent, Siem, van Middelkoop, van Os, Bierma-Zeinstra & Koes, 2007). First time participation in a marathon is associated with increased risk of injury (Satterthwaite, Norton, Larmer & Robinson, 1999). The London Marathon is run on concrete, typically with running shoes. For female runners, having running shoes older than 4-6 months is a risk factor for lower extremity injuries (van Gent et al., 2007). 

Evaluation of the athlete 

Movement Assessment

The female runner completed a musculoskeletal screen to establish current strengths and weaknesses regarding mobility and stability (Winter, Bromley, Davison, Jones & Mercer, 2007; Cook, Burton & Hoogenboom, 2006). This established the runner’s training status supporting the basis for an exercise programme (Winter et al., 2007). 

The Exercises for the Movement Assessment

A deep squat performance test resulted in a poor squat performance (Cook et al., 2006). A multiple repetition test was conducted to measure baseline muscular endurance (Baechle and Earle, 2008; Winter et al., 2007). Such testing produced poor strength results and the runner had no experience using free-weights. The runner’s core stability test results were poor and this was analysed through a trunk stability test (Sato & Mokha, 2009). Gait analysis results showed the runner ran on her toes proving poor running mechanics (Lee & Grimson, 2002). Bilateral gluteus medius weakness was concluded from a hurdle step test (Cook, et al., 2006).  

Training Status

According to Baechle and Earle (2008) the runner’s classification of training status is beginner therefore the suitable resistance training status is also beginner. Such characteristics which the runner possesses enabling the classification to be determined include: not currently training, training age of < 2 months, ≤ 1-2 training sessions a week, training stress and training experience classified as none. The current season is off-season/pre-season. 

Primary and Secondary Resistance Training Goal

Muscular endurance and core stability.