Peak Age and Performance Progression in World-Class Track-and-Field Athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1122-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Haugen ◽  
Paul A. Solberg ◽  
Carl Foster ◽  
Ricardo Morán-Navarro ◽  
Felix Breitschädel ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to quantify peak age and improvements over the preceding years to peak age in elite athletic contestants according to athlete performance level, sex, and discipline. Individual season bests for world-ranked top 100 athletes from 2002 to 2016 (14,937 athletes and 57,049 individual results) were downloaded from the International Association of Athletics Federations’ website. Individual performance trends were generated by fitting a quadratic curve separately to each athlete’s performance and age data using a linear modeling procedure. Mean peak age was typically 25–27 y, but somewhat higher for marathon and male throwers (∼28–29 y). Women reached greater peak age than men in the hurdles and middle- and long-distance running events (mean difference, ±90% CL: 0.6, ±0.3 to 1.9, ±0.3 y: small to moderate). Male throwers had greater peak age than corresponding women (1.3, ±0.3 y: small). Throwers displayed the greatest performance improvements over the 5 y prior to peak age (mean [SD]: 7.0% [2.9%]), clearly ahead of jumpers, long-distance runners, hurdlers, middle-distance runners, and sprinters (3.4, ±0.2% to 5.2, ±0.2%; moderate to large). Similarly, top 10 athletes showed greater improvements than top 11–100 athletes in all events (1.0, ±0.9% to 1.8, ±1.1%; small) except throws. Women improved more than men in all events (0.4, ±0.2% to 2.9, ±0.4%) except sprints. This study provides novel insight on performance development in athletic contestants that are useful for practitioners when setting goals and evaluating strategies for achieving success.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1357-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Solberg ◽  
Will G. Hopkins ◽  
Gøran Paulsen ◽  
Thomas A. Haugen

Purpose:To quantify age of peak performance and performance improvements in the years preceding peak age in elite weightlifting and powerlifting athletes using results from powerlifting World Championships in 2003–2017 and weightlifting World Championships and Olympic Games in 1998–2017.Methods:Individual performance trends were derived by fitting a quadratic curve separately to each athlete’s performance and age data. Effects were evaluated using magnitude-based inferences.Results:Peak age (mean [SD]) was 35 (7) y for powerlifters and 26 (3) y for weightlifters, a large most likely substantial difference of 9, ±1 y (mean, 90% confidence limit). Men showed possibly higher peak age than women in weightlifting (0.8, ±0.7 y; small) and a possibly lower peak age in powerlifting (1.3, ±1.8 y; trivial). Peak age of athletes who ever won a medal was very likely less than that of nonmedalists in weightlifting (1.3, ±0.6 y; small), while the difference in powerlifters was trivial but unclear. Five-year improvements prior to peak age were 12% (10%) for powerlifters and 9% (7%) for weightlifters, a small possibly substantial difference (2.9, ±2.1%). Women exhibited possibly greater improvements than men in powerlifting (2.7, ±3.8%; small) and very likely greater in weightlifting (3.5, ±1.6%; small). Medalists possibly improved less than nonmedalists among powerlifters (−1.7, ±2.3%; small), while the difference was likely trivial for weightlifters (2.3, ±1.8%).Conclusion:These novel insights on performance development will be useful for practitioners evaluating strategies for achieving success.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Peikriszwili Tartaruga ◽  
Jeanick Brisswalter ◽  
Carlos Bolli Mota ◽  
Cristine Lima Alberton ◽  
Natalia Andrea Gomeñuka ◽  
...  

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of allometric scaling on the relationship between mechanical work and long-distance running performance in recreational runners. Fourteen recreational long-distance runners (male, mean ± SD - age: 29 ± 7 years; body mass: 70.0 ± 10.2 kg; body height: 1.71 ± 0.07 m; maximal oxygen uptake: VO2max 52.0 ± 4.9 ml.kg-1.min-1) performed two tests: a continuous incremental test to volitional exhaustion in order to determine VO2max, and a 6-minute running submaximal test at 3.1 m.s-1, during which segments in the sagittal plane were recorded using a digital camera and the internal (Wint), external (Wext) and total (Wtot) mechanic work, in J.kg-1.m-1, was subsequently calculated. The results indicated a significant correlation between mechanical work and performance, however, the strongest correlations were observed when allometric exponents were used (respectively for Wint, Wext and Wtot; non allometric vs. allometric scaling defined by literature (0.75) or determined mathematically (0.49): r = 0.38 vs. r = 0.44 and r = 0.50; r = 0.80 vs. r = 0.83 and r = 0.82; r = 0.70 vs. r = 0.77 and r = 0.78). These results indicate that mechanical work could be used as a predictor of recreational long-distance performance and an allometric model may improve this prediction.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-52
Author(s):  
Marcel Nemec

Summary The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the occurrence of cathartic states in a sample of long-distance runners. Data collected via questionnaires were used to evaluate quantitative variables complemented by heuristics while aiming at qualitatively categorize the areas of cathartic states in the context of philosophical and spiritual aspects of long-distance running. The study findings objectify philosophical and spiritual aspects affecting personalities of long-distance runners. The study findings have shown that catharsis represents a relevant philosophical and spiritual aspect affecting long-distance running. We assume that authentic experience of catharsis and its effects motivates runners to perform regular physical activity. The analysis of philosophical and spiritual aspects of long-distance running has revealed a multi-spectral holistic relevance based on the transfer affecting a specific way of life, spectrum of values, ethical personality traits, and also the quality of long-distance runners’ lives.


1997 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 745-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana L. Deadrick ◽  
Nathan Bennett ◽  
Craig J. Russell

The selection literature has long debated the theoretical and practical significance of dynamic criteria. Recent research has begun to explore the nature of individual performance over time. This study contributes to this body of research through a hierarchical linear modeling analysis of dynamic criteria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ability in explaining initial job performance, as well as the rate of improvement-or performance trend-among a sample of 408 sewing machine operators over a 24 week period. The results of a hierarchical linear modeling analysis suggest that ability measures are differentially related to initial performance and performance improvement trend.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Kasmer ◽  
Xue-cheng Liu ◽  
Kyle G. Roberts ◽  
Jason M. Valadao

Purpose:To determine prevalence of heel strike in a midsize city marathon, if there is an association between foot-strike classification and race performance, and if there is an association between foot-strike classification and gender.Methods:Foot-strike classification (forefoot, midfoot, heel, or split strike), gender, and rank (position in race) were recorded at the 8.1-km mark for 2112 runners at the 2011 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.Results:1991 runners were classified by foot-strike pattern, revealing a heel-strike prevalence of 93.67% (n = 1865). A significant difference between foot-strike classification and performance was found using a Kruskal-Wallis test (P < .0001), with more elite performers being less likely to heel strike. No significant difference between foot-strike classification and gender was found using a Fisher exact test. In addition, subgroup analysis of the 126 non-heel strikers found no significant difference between shoe wear and performance using a Kruskal-Wallis test.Conclusions:The high prevalence of heel striking observed in this study reflects the foot-strike pattern of most mid-distance to long-distance runners and, more important, may predict their injury profile based on the biomechanics of a heel-strike running pattern. This knowledge can help clinicians appropriately diagnose, manage, and train modifications of injured runners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
D. Chojnicki ◽  
O. Smoleńska ◽  
R. Muszkieta

Purpose of the article is to identify the most important psychological factors influencing success among long-distance runners. Material and methods. The application of an electronic diagnostic survey (interview) was used as the research method in the study. The normalized questionnaire was applied as a research technique in the paper. Results.The analysis of the results was divided into parts, the first two of which concern the characteristics and environment of the respondents, and the remaining ones refer to the research problems formulated in the methodology section. The most numerous group of women have physical and mental trainings (32%) and the majority of men trains neither physically nor mentally (28%). Conclusions. There are many key factors in long-distance running. However, the most important ones seem to be stubbornness, motivation, self-confidence, optimism as well as support from family and peers. Runners are considered to be people who are often physically and mentally resistant. They are often able to sacrifice a lot to achieve their goals. The path taken by long-distance runners is often incomprehensible to their surroundings that is family, peers or employers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis ◽  
Ivan Cuk ◽  
Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez ◽  
Elias Villiger ◽  
Beat Knechtle

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e106066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Balsalobre-Fernández ◽  
Carlos Mª Tejero-González ◽  
Juan del Campo-Vecino

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 389
Author(s):  
Ivan Cuk ◽  
Pantelis T. Nikolaidis ◽  
Elias Villiger ◽  
Beat Knechtle

Background and objective: The recent availability of data from mass-participation running events has allowed researchers to examine pacing from the perspective of non-elite distance runners. Based on an extensive analysis of the literature, we concluded that no study utilizing mass-participation events data has ever directly compared pacing in the 10-km race, with other long-distance races. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess and compare pacing between 10-km runners and marathoners, in regards to their sex and age. Materials and methods: For the purpose of this study, official results from the Oslo marathon (n = 8828) and 10-km race (n = 16,315) held from 2015 to 2018 were included. Results: Both 10-km runners and marathoners showed positive pacing strategies. Moreover, two-way analysis of variance showed that women were less likely to slow in the marathon than men (9.85% in comparison to 12.70%) however, not in the 10-km race (3.99% in comparison to 3.38%). Finally, pace changing is more prominent in youngest and oldest marathoners comparing to the other age groups (12.55% in comparison to 10.96%). Conclusions: Based on these findings, practitioners should adopt different training programmes for marathoners in comparison to shorter long-distance runners.


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