Author(s): KANEKO, Y., KIKUCHI, T., YAMAGUCHI, S., SAKAGUCHI, S., FUJITA, Y., KAMIOKA, H., HORIUCHI, T., OHMURA, K., NAKAMURA, T., MORI, Y., HAMAOKA, T., Institution: TOKYO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1843

INTRODUCTION:
Recreational marathon runners often face an imbalance between high training loads and recovery, which increases the risk of fatigue and injury. However, large-scale data on their recovery practices are limited. This study examined associations between recovery methods, personal best marathon times, and training volume.
METHODS:
A Google Forms questionnaire was emailed to 200,000 runners. After excluding ineligible or incomplete responses, 5,204 runners (mean age 51.2 ± 8.2 years) were included in the analysis. The questionnaire collected information on age, sex, running experience, personal best marathon time, average monthly training volume, and the use of 14 recovery methods. Descriptive statistics were used to assess utilization rates and future interest in recovery methods. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with personal best marathon time and monthly training volume.
RESULTS:
The mean running experience was 12.5 ± 8.8 years, and the mean personal best marathon time was 4 h 07 min 41 s ± 49 min 46 s. The most common monthly training volume was 101–200 km (38.8%). Bathing (86.5%), stretching (85.0%), and hot springs (66.7%) were the most frequently used recovery methods. Future interest was highest for stretching (95.6%), bathing (93.8%), and massage (91.8%). Faster personal best times were independently associated with younger age, male sex, longer running experience, higher training volume, and the use of active recovery, contrast baths, stretching, and acupuncture. Higher monthly training volumes were independently associated with older age, male sex, faster personal best times, and the use of active recovery, icing, hot springs, and acupuncture.
CONCLUSION:
More competitive recreational runners tended to use a broader range of recovery methods. In particular, active recovery and acupuncture were consistently associated with both faster personal best times and higher training volumes, highlighting their relevance within recovery strategies