Why are junior high kids better at 5k races than older people?

Question

How can little kids run the 5k like its nothing, while older men with more muscle cannot keep up? Little kids can run the 5k in 17 or 18 mins like its nothing.

Any special technique adults are missing?

Answer 1

Most of the adults that you see participating in 5K races are simply fun runners who jog in preparation for those races. They do not do any speed work or specific preparation.

Jr. high school students with the times you mention likely participate in such as soccer, track or cross country. They do specific training which enables them to run faster.

Keep in mind of course that the world record and all world class times are run by adults.

World record --  Kenenisa Bekele (age 22) 12 minutes 37 seconds.

Answer 2

Kids do well at the shorter distances like 5K, but they lack the endurance for 10K,15K, or longer.  You get endurance as you get older.  What a previous poster said was correct about age 27 being the average persons peak for athletic ability, however you won't see a huge drop off in speed until somewhere around age 60.

Answer 3

everything after age 27 is downhill as far as athletic abiltiy

kids are more flexible and lighter at that age, adults stronger physically, but dont have a body ideal for running as much as other physical activities...like football or something

Women after puberty go downhill....as far as running and some other sports like gymnatics

Answer 4

they have arthritus and back or etc problems

kids have more energy and endurance b/c they play and do soprts more than adults