From Progression to Regression: How Running Performance Changes for Males and Females Across the Lifespan

Running enjoys worldwide popularity across age groups and sexes. Because of this, it serves as an excellent benchmark to compare male and female performance across the lifespan with respect to developmental progression, peak athletic performance, and age-related regression. The purpose of this review is to examine and discuss how sex and aging affect running performance in sprints, middle-distance running, and long-distance running. Based on the scientific literature and running world records from age 5–99, male running performance exceeds that of females across the lifespan, with the greatest divide beginning at puberty, which remains through old age. However, there appear to be few differences in the rate of progression in youth and the age of peak performance, but it is unclear whether the rate of decline, beginning in middle age, differs by sex and sport for record performances. Future analyses should examine changes in all running performances across the lifespan.