Strava's athletic app monitors physical activities. - At the 5.3-kilometer mark, fatigue sets in the most for the "Gen Z" age group.
Research conducted by sports app Strava may not come as a surprise to those who think younger people are less performance-oriented compared to older individuals. In an examination of the platform's user data (consisting of over 120 million smartphones), a pattern emerged: Those between 13 and 26 years old run and cycle faster than all other age groups but cover much shorter distances.
Strava Examines "Gen Z" Cycling and Running Habits
Strava, a San Francisco-based company, analyzed data from nearly 7,000 cyclists and runners who used the app from October 2022 to 2023. Here, athletes can share their performance information like distance, speed, and energy consumption for comparison with others. Pro cyclists like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert often share their training sessions through the platform.
The so-called "Boomers," or the 58- to 76-year-old age group, turned out to be the most enduring, cycling an average of over 32 kilometers per ride. Next came the 42- to 57-year-olds, who averaged about 27.3 kilometers. The "Millennials," defined as the 27- to 41-year-olds, finished last with just over 21 kilometers per ride. Although the "GenZ" group covers slightly more distance, they are keen on their activities.
Fast and Short Routes for the Young
On average, the "Gen Z" group cycled at 20.7 km/h, the highest in their category. The 42- to 57-year-olds clocked in with an average speed of 20.6 km/h. The "Millennials" (27- to 41 years) and "Boomers" (58- to 76 years) bike at about 20.3 km/h. A similar story unfolds in running, with the 13- to 26-year-olds averaging a pace of 20.7 km/h - only slightly faster than the 42- to 57-year-olds, who averaged approximately 20.6 km/h. Here, too, the youngsters show a preference for shorter distances.
The youngest users of the app covered an average of 5.31 kilometers during their runs, completing them in around 5:37 minutes per kilometer. The longest routes were covered by the 42- to 57-year-olds, who ran an average of 6.27 kilometers at a pace of 6:08 minutes per kilometer. The "Boomers" managed 6.4 kilometers, taking 6:45 minutes per kilometer. "Millennials" (27- to 41 years) ran an average of 6.9 kilometers at a pace of 6:54 minutes per kilometer.
Furthermore, the study touched on the reasons why people engage in sports. In a survey, more than half of Strava users pointed out that comparing their results with friends and relatives is a major motivator. For the youngest age group, the social aspect of sports is key, while health is the primary focus for those aged 27 to 57, less important to the younger generation.
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In the study, Pro cyclists like Mark Cavendish and André Greipel, known for their long-distance performances, shared their training data on Strava along with other athletes. Despite covering shorter distances, the 'Gen Z' age group, including individuals like yourself, demonstrates remarkable speed on their bicycles, averaging 20.7 km/h.
In San Francisco, where Strava's headquarters are located, the 'Gen Z' age group can be seen embracing their love for cycling, often challenging the traditionally faster yet longer-distance cycling groups like André Greipel or Mark Cavendish's age group.
