Fisher, The Atlantic, " Why Kenyans Make Such Great Runners: A Story of Genes and Cultures.

" Last modified April 17, 2012. Accessed February 16, 2014. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/04/why-kenyans-make-such-greatrunners-a-story-of-genes-and-cultures/256015/. Max Fisher, the author of Why Kenyans Make Such Great Runners: A Story of Genes and Cultures, first raised the question of how a nation that is .06% of the world population could produce an immense amount of success in distance running. Fisher discussed the common western views of Kenyas distance runners, and how their culture plays a role in their success. A common idea is that the children spend a large amount of time running from an early age, since running to and from school is necessary on a daily basis. The children are often barefoot, which many believe is beneficial to becoming a successful runner. Many people also believe that the Kenyans practice of herding animals by running plays a role to their success on the track. Finally, it is a common belief that living in the sunny highlands of the Great Rift Valley, which are at 7000ft is beneficial. Studies have been performed on this, and have proven that Kenyans have a greater amount of red blood cells than the average human. This is advantageous, since the athletes often travel to sea-level for races such as the Boston marathon, and receive a sustained oxygen boost. I selected this article primarily because it addressed all of the common beliefs to why the Kenyans dominant distance running. Even though many of these common beliefs, and not true, I believe that it is important that I consider each one. Magness, "African Dominance in Distance Running." Online Presentation. University of Houston. Houston, Texas, 23 Mar 2009. Stephen Magness first made the point in his presentation African Dominance in Distance Running, that the largest percentage of elite Kenyan distance runners come from the Kalenjin tribe that are from the Rift Valley Province. Magness then spent the majority of the presentation to discuss a number of scientific tests that were conducted comparing the elite athletes of Kenya and the elite athletes of Scandinavia. The first test was to examine the Mitochondrial DNA that influences aerobic performance. It was found that the Kenyans have no genetic benefit, since the athletes did not differ from the general population. The second study examined the VO2 max of the differing athletes, and it was discovered that they were equal. Though it was found that the Kenyans were able to use a larger percentage of their VO2 max over a specific race distance. For example, Kip Keino would run at 97%-98% of his max while running the 10,000m. Another study looked at the running economy of the athletes, and it was observed that the Kenyans running economy was much better than the Scandinavians. The Kenyans volume and mean leg thickness was 15%-17% less. The study showed that leg thickness had a direct correlation with the runners running economy. It was thought that the Kenyans low mass at their extremities had a major influence in their success. The final study discovered that the Kenyans born at altitude can train at a higher intensity than the western athletes. There are in fact a few negative consequences from training at altitude, though these consequences have little effect on the Kenyans. The last part of Magnesss presentation discussed that the Kenyans active lifestyle is thought to play a key role in their success. It was examined that the most rural tribes produce the best athletes, since a more active lifestyle is required. African Dominance in Distance Running was given by Steve Magness who is the head coach for cross country and track at the University of Houston. All of the studies that he presented were conducted by notable universities that I

thought were credible. I selected this source since it is backed on scientific research that could back up the theories on this phenomenon. Sweeney, , dir. Man On A Mission. Dir. Mcloughlin. Motive Television Ltd, 2011. Film. 9 Mar 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGVSO1sg2Fk>. The documentary Man on a Mission produced by Maurice Sweeney, took the audience to St. Patricks High School located in Iten, Kenya, which is home to David Rudisha and Coach Brother Colm O Connell. Man on a Mission spent the majority of the time examining the training of the Kenyans, and speaking with Colm O Connell. It was evident that the Kenyans took their training serious and were focused since there was no talk between the athletes during training sessions. Brother Colm O Connell took a simplistic approach to training though makes an emphasis on the little things such as staying relaxed when running. It was interesting since many of the workouts that the Kenyans did took little effort and werent very intense which is much different than the training of other elite athletes around the world. It was also interesting that the junior athletes and the elite athletes could be found training among one another on a daily basis. From childhood the junior athletes are surrounded by the excellence of World and Olympic champions. Brother Colm O Connell typically has David Rudisha do a few workouts with the junior athletes which he thinks is beneficial to the junior athletes progression in the sport. David Rudisha was asked why he thought the Kenyans dominate the sport, and he said that it is because the children walk and run barefoot from an early age. Rudisha said that it strengthens the feet, and allows the Kenyans to gain a good connection with the ground. An exercise physiologist in Nairobi, Kenya was asked the same question and he blamed the Kenyans success on a tradition of excellence similar to the Canadians tradition of excellence in ice hockey. I selected Man on a Mission because it looked at the Kenyans lifestyle and training. It is credible since it was filmed in Iten, Kenya and contained interviews with David Rudisha and Brother Colm O Connell. Overall, Man on a Mission showed the audience that there is no secret to the Kenyans success, it is simply due to the Kenyans self-discipline and hard work. Warner, National Public Radio, "How One Kenyan Tribe Produces the World's Best Runners." Last modified November 1, 2013. Accessed February 16, 2014. http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/11/01/241895965/how-one-kenyan-tribeproduces-the-worlds-best-runners. The speakers of the radio broadcast "How One Kenyan Tribe Produces the World's Best Runners," looked at the reasons why Kenya has dominated the sport of distance running for centuries. Specifically, it examined a tribe called the Kalenjin which is known for producing world-class athletes. This dominance by a single country is the largest dominance of any sport. To put their dominance in perspective, 17 men of the United States have ever broken 2:10 for the marathon, and in October, 2011 32 Kalenjin did it alone. The first reason the speakers discussed was that the Kalenjins body build is optimal for distance running. Biologically, there is a rule called Allens Rule that states that people develop a specific way in hot/dry climates to cool themselves. Allens Rule says that peoples limbs get thinner further from their center of gravity. The Kenyans have very thin ankles and calves which is advantageous to running. Another reason provided is that the Kalenjin are taught to endure pain and preserver from a very young

age. Prior to becoming 15, children are burned with hot coals leaving them with scars. This practice, allows them to get ready for an Initiation that they have to go through when they are 15. During this Initiation, the boys first have to crawl through a tunnel of stinging nettles practically naked, before being repeatedly beaten on the bony part of their ankle. Finally, the boys a circumcised with a sharp stick. During this entire process, the teens cannot show any pain, they cannot make any sound, or make any movement. In some cases, mud is applied to their face and is allowed to harden. If cracks appear in the mud, showing any movement in their face, they will be ridiculed as a coward. I selected "How One Kenyan Tribe Produces the World's Best Runners" because it was produced national public radio that I belief is reputable source. I also selected this broadcast, since it discussed two reasons for this phenomena that I was unaware about though appear to be logical explanations. " Why are Kenyans the best distance runners?." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 03 Jul 2013. Web. 18 Apr 2014. <http://video.guardianselect.co.uk/index.php/video/1789/421801>. The article Why are Kenyans the best distance runners? featured an interview with Adharanand Finn and Tom Payn who both have spent several months in Kenya examining the elite runners. They discussed that the Kenyans success is based around several factors including their lifestyle, the altitude, and their genetics. Finn and Payn also put an emphasis on the Kenyans positive mindset, and optimism towards the sport. Even if the Kenyans have a bad race, they can easily pick themselves up and look towards a positive race in the future. The interview made it evident that the Kenyan athletes are very passionate about running, and that the country has a tradition of passion in running which guides the younger athletes. The interview also featured an elite athlete of Kenya who thought that that the Kenyans emphasis of recovering and relaxing has a key role in their success. He pointed out that the Kenyan athletes spend a large amount of time sleeping which is key to getting faster and stronger. Finally, the interview discussed the importance of the children running to school at a young age and that is thought to be the foundation of many childrens athletic career. I selected Why are Kenyans the best distance runners? because it included two Europeans who travelled to Kenya to examine the elite athletes of Kenya. Both men lived in Iten, Kenya for more than six months, so their theories/ideas on the Kenyans should be quite accurate. Adharanand Finn wrote a book about his experiences titled Running with the Kenyans that I believe validates his credibility.

Wilber, Pitsiladis. "Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners: what makes them so good? ." International Journal of Sports Physiology Performance. 7. (2012): 92-102. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. <http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=12a0f4d0-5202-497fa182-d4526abeb133@sessionmgr4002&vid=2&hid=4211>. The journal article, Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners: what makes them so good? examined several beliefs as to why eastern Africans have dominated the sport of distance running. It was first found that the Kenyans/Ethiopians have no genetic advantage by performing Mitochondrial DNA research, Y-chromosome research and candidate-gene research. It was found that the Kenyans/Ethiopians do have an advantage over non-Africans in terms of VO2 max, which is thought to be due to excessive walking and running from an early age. During Randall

Wilber and Yannis Pitsiladis studies, they observed that the Kenyans of the Rift Valley have an ectomorphic somatotype body type, characterized by long and slender legs. Due to this unique body type, the Kenyans have an enhanced biomechanical and metabolic efficiency. On the other hand, it was observed that the Ethiopians are generally shorter and have a more monomorphic body type with larger thighs. Wilber and Pitsiladis also looked at the Kenyans diet and determined that it is not advantageous compared to other elite athletes diet. The Kenyans live off a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet. They drink plentiful amounts of chai tea following training sessions and meals. Lastly, a figure was provided showing the reasons why the Kenyans began running in the first place, and it was found that 33% began for economic reasons and 18% began due to a tradition in the sport. Wilber and Pitsiladis concluded that there is no single factor that explains the Kenyan/Ethiopian dominance, but that it is due to a combination of factors. I selected this journal article because it discussed the Ethiopians as well as the Kenyans, which helped to see the unique characteristics of both groups. It was also beneficial since the article looked at nearly all of the possible factors that may lead to the dominance. Lastly, I thought that the information in the journal would be accurate since it was published by the International Journal of Sports Physiology Performance.