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Toward a record-eligible sub-2-hour marathon: an updated integrative framework of Physiological, technological, and cognitive determinants #MMPMID41351755
Grivas GV
Eur J Appl Physiol 2025[Dec]; ? (?): ? PMID41351755show ga
Breaking the sub-2-hour marathon barrier under record-eligible conditions requires the coordinated contribution of physiological, biomechanical, psychological, environmental, nutritional, and technological factors. Achieving such a feat demands aerobic power (VO(2)(max) approximately 75-85 mL.kg(-)(1).min(-)(1)), running economy (= 190 mL.kg(-)(1).km(-)(1) at 21 km.h(-)(1)), fractional utilization (90-94% VO(2)(max), near the maximum metabolic steady state), favourable anthropometry (e.g., low body mass), efficient neuromuscular coordination, and cognitive endurance to sustain near-threshold effort for ~ 2 h. Technological innovations, particularly carbon-fiber-plated footwear ("supershoes") together with refined pacing strategies, optimized nutrition (carbohydrate intake ~ 60-100 g.h(-)(1); caffeine 3-6 mg.kg(-)(1)), and advantageous environmental conditions (~ 10 degrees C, < 60% RH, low wind) have further narrowed the remaining gap. This narrative review extends previous integrative perspectives by incorporating recent advances in thermoregulation, emerging AI-assisted training applications, and cognitive performance into a conceptual systems-oriented perspective on the determinants of record-eligible sub-2-hour marathon performance. It synthesizes multidisciplinary evidence to propose a conceptual model illustrating how physiological, mechanical, cognitive, and technological domains interact to constrain or enhance endurance capacity. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge (1:59:40) and Kelvin Kiptum's world record (2:00:35) exemplify the proximity of this frontier, while ongoing innovations in real-time monitoring and predictive analytics are expected to refine performance optimization further. Collectively, these developments suggest that achieving an officially ratified sub-2-hour marathon is increasingly plausible, provided that physiological, environmental, and technological systems are co-optimized within ethical and regulatory boundaries.