EFFECT OF BALANCE TRAINING ON THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF MARATHON RUNNERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: As a comprehensive sport, Marathon presents high demands concerning the athletes’ comprehensive capacity. Objective: This paper explores to what extent balance skill training can effectively contribute to improving physical fitness for marathon runners. Methods: 120 marathon runners were selected for the pilot experiment. The experimental group received balance training, while the control group underwent no intervention. Results: In the experimental group, the time with eyes closed and feet apart increased from 33.559 ± 15.8570 to 37.203 ± 15.5865s, the time spent in the T-shaped run from 10.144 ± 0.5063s to 9.908 ± 0.5225s, the time spent in the standing long jump from 2.831 ± 0.2648m to 3.058 ± 0.3183m, and the time spent in the T-shaped run from 55.544 ± 2.2581 to 60.845 ± 2.4367 times/min. The total FMS score changed from 14.618 ± 0.9392 to 18.481 ± 1.3909. Shoulder flexibility increased from 2.777 ± 0.4756 to 2.917 ± 0.2994, and active straight knee raise changed from 2.306 ± 0.4692 to 2.803 ± 0.403. Conclusion: Daily balance training can be added to usual marathon training to improve the fitness of its athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.