STUDIES
Want to stay up to date on the latest press releases and news about studies in the running, cycling and triathlon industries? Scroll below to view all endurance sport studies.
April 30, 2026
Study suggests birth weight affects kidney resilience in ultramarathon athletes
A new study is raising questions about whether human endurance has biological limits shaped long before adulthood-possibly beginning at birth. Researchers are examining whether birth weight, a known risk factor for disease later in life, may also influence how the body responds to extreme endurance exercise. The study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, led...
April 23, 2026
What’s a Good Cycling Speed by Age? Here’s What the Data Shows
Strava data reveals U.S. average cycling speeds vary by ride type, surface, and age group. Leisure pavement rides average 14.1 mph over 19.2 miles, while dirt leisure rides are slower at 8.3 mph for 10.6 miles. Commutes show pavement at 12.1 mph (4.7 miles) and dirt at 9.8 mph (5.1 miles),...
April 22, 2026
What Strava Data Reveals About Cycling Trends Worldwide
Last year, millions of cyclists around the world logged 550 million miles of bike commutes on Strava. That's the equivalent of circling the Earth 22,000 times, pedaled by people who chose a different way to get to work. Today, on Earth Day, we're publishing the first-ever Strava Metro: Commute Report,...
April 22, 2026
Our Data Expert Crunched 10 Years of Age-Group Finish Times. Here’s What He Learned.
In the 2025 analysis of the fastest and slowest races of the year, we found that the average finishing times varied by two hours between the fastest and slowest races of the year, showing just how much impact the course and its conditions can have on your finishing times. only tells you...
April 10, 2026
Not Just for Muscles — Creatine May Sharpen Memory & Mental Speed
A growing body of research suggests that creatine—commonly known as a muscle‑building supplement—may also sharpen memory and mental speed. A recent systematic review and meta‑analysis of randomized trials found that creatine monohydrate significantly improved several aspects of cognitive performance in adults. Memory: Participants showed about a 14% improvement in recall...
April 8, 2026
Fitness fans are traveling around the world for ‘runcations’ — where 3 miles a day is a laid-back holiday
There seem to be a rise in “runcations”—holidays built around running, from destination marathons and guided scenic runs to resorts and hotels that cater specifically to runners via curated trails, fueling menus, and “running concierges.” Runcations are getaways where running is the main activity, often tied to destination races (like...
April 8, 2026
Scientists say we’ve been wrong about what makes sprinters fast
A new international study is calling into question long-standing assumptions about what makes elite sprinters so fast. The findings offer a fresh perspective that could reshape how Australia identifies and trains its next generation of speed athletes. Published in Sports Medicine, the research looks at sprinting through a dynamical systems approach....
March 11, 2026
Germany bike sales hold (mostly) steady in 2025; eBikes still outstrip EVs
The bicycle sales picture in Germany was one of relative resilience in 2025, with 3.8 million units sold, down 3.9% compared to 2024. That’s a slightly more pronounced drop than the previous year (down 2.53%), albeit a fairly modest difference. That decrease was mostly felt in the eBike sector compared to non-electrics,...
March 10, 2026
Short Bursts Of Cycling Leads To Brain-Boosting BDNF Spikes, Study Finds
Exercise is amazingly good for your brain. Even a 10-minute walk might help to improve your mood, focus, and reaction time; 150 minutes of activity a week could keep your mind younger for longer. A new paper published in Brain Research has suggested that short bursts of exercise could increase people’s brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), linked...
March 9, 2026
Many Seniors Gain Physical, Mental Fitness As They Age, Study Finds
People think of aging as a steady decline, with seniors gradually losing their physical abilities and mental agility as the years wear on. But a new study suggests that seniors can – and often do – improve over time, with the right mindset. Nearly half of seniors 65 and older...
