Motivation in ultra-marathon runners

Figures & data

Table 1 Control group and ultra-marathon finishers group distributions depending on age

Age (years)	Control group		Ultra-marathon finishers
	N	%	N	%
<30	305	27.4	62	14.6
31–40	399	35.8	146	34.4
41–50	310	27.8	160	37.6
51–65	94	8.4	54	12.7
>65	6	0.5	3	0.7

Table 2 Non-starters and ultra-marathon finishers frequencies in specific characteristics related to training experience and starting performance

Number	Non-starters		Ultra-marathon finishers
	N	%	N	%
Number of marathons
0	276	24.8	20	4.7
1–3	529	47.5	117	27.5
4–10	238	21.4	159	37.4
11–30	60	5.4	86	20.2
>30	11	1.0	43	10.1
Number of ultra-marathons
1–3	–	–	243	57.2
4–10	–	–	127	29.9
>10	–	–	55	12.9
Training experience (years)
<1 year	60	5.4	1	0.2
1–3 years	467	41.9	84	19.8
4–10 years	502	45.1	245	57.6
>10 years	84	7.5	95	22.4
Training frequency
1–3 times per week	485	43.5	111	26.1
4–6 times per week	582	52.2	274	64.4
Every day	47	4.2	40	9.4

Table 3 Basic descriptive statistics of MOMS scales in control group and ultra-marathon finishers group

Statistics	Health orientation	Weight concern	Personal goal achievement	Competition	Recognition	Affiliation	Psychological coping	Life meaning	Self-esteem
Control group
Mean	4.662	4.639	5.411	3.353	2.728	3.342	4.407	4.025	4.675
Median	4.833	5.000	5.667	3.250	2.400	3.333	4.444	4.143	4.750
SD	1.150	1.648	1.159	1.661	1.450	1.623	1.492	1.442	1.376
Skewness	−0.623	−0.462	−0.946	0.343	0.712	0.283	−0.256	−0.091	−0.471
Skewness SE	0.073	0.073	0.073	0.073	0.073	0.073	0.073	0.073	0.073
Kurtosis	0.059	−0.642	0.899	−0.813	−0.333	−0.877	−0.702	−0.611	−0.335
Kurtosis SE	0.146	0.146	0.146	0.146	0.146	0.146	0.146	0.146	0.146
Ultra-marathon finishers
Mean	4.546	4.327	5.091	3.359	2.641	3.555	4.266	4.201	4.441
Median	4.667	4.333	5.167	3.250	2.400	3.500	4.444	4.286	4.500
SD	1.150	1.679	1.250	1.636	1.388	1.598	1.468	1.400	1.364
Skewness	−0.490	−0.211	−0.683	0.406	0.710	0.192	−0.275	−0.243	−0.372
Skewness SE	0.118	0.118	0.118	0.118	0.118	0.118	0.118	0.118	0.118
Kurtosis	−0.495	−0.937	0.139	−0.735	−0.288	−0.824	−0.617	−0.570	−0.475
Kurtosis SE	0.236	0.236	0.236	0.236	0.236	0.236	0.236	0.236	0.236

Abbreviations: MOMS, Motivation of Marathoners Scale; SE, standard error.

Figure 1 Comparison of motivations between ultra-marathon runners and control group.

Notes: *P<0.05, ^†P<0.01, ^‡P<0.001. Error bars indicate the mean SD.

Figure 2 Relationship between motivations and number of finished marathon races.

Note: The shadows denote correlation of trivial magnitude.

Figure 3 Relationship between motivations and years of training experience.

Note: The shadows denote correlation of trivial magnitude.

Figure 4 Relationship between motivations and number of weekly training days.

Note: The shadows denote correlation of trivial magnitude.