Factors influencing the long distance runners’ performance in Amhara region, Ethiopia

It has been said that Athletics has a place above all other sports. Its component skills are fundamental to most other sports and modern training theory originated and developed in Athletics. A large number of athletes have been trained under the Amhara Region's Athletics clubs so as to maximize their level of performance. However, there are a couple of factors that influencing the achievement, viz., the improper application of training load, participating in many competitions and unavailability of event specific nutrition vis-à-vis athletes gender, chronological age, training age, stages of athlete development, in general. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting the young long distance runners’ performance and to suggest possible remedies. To attain this objective, different qualitative techniques of survey viz., interview questions for coaches and interview format to some key informants were prepared and used. The study revealed that coaching encompasses many diverse skills and a broad knowledge base which further increases performance of athletes they have been coaching.