Constructing A Tool To Assess Orienteer’S Competence

Abstract

Components to determine orienteering performance consists of orienteering map reading ability and physical conditioning. Orienteers are typically trained in a well-designed course with pre-determined locations of start, controls and finish. The winner expends the least time. In addition, athletes always train themselves in varied outdoor settings or even on a treadmill. However, there had been no a tool to assess orienteering map reading ability and physical conditioning respectively. PURPOSE: To develop a systematic approach to assess individual map-reading ability and physical conditioning with considering physiological characteristics. METHODS: Twelve orienteers (9 males and 4 females, training experience: 3.6 ± 1.7 yrs., BMI: 21.8 ± 1.8 kg/m2) were recruited to participate the study. Participants were asked to have 2 runs in the same test course wearing device of Garmin Forerunner® 935/HRM-Tri. The first run mimicked the real competition, which was followed by a second run after enough rest and reviewing the map in detail. Anaerobic threshold (AT: 10.0 ± 2.0 km/hr) and critical velocity (CV: 11.4 ± 2.0 km/hr) were measured in lab using a standardized protocol on treadmill. The map-reading ability is defined by the difference between the first run velocity and the second run velocity. Repeated measures of one-way ANOVA was used to exam the mean difference among the first run velocity, the second run velocity, AT and CV. Statistical significant difference is set at p < .05. RESULTS: The first run velocity was significantly lower than the second run velocity, AT and CV (8.5 ± 1.2 km/hr vs. 9.5 ± 1.5 km/hr, 10.0 ± 2.0 km/hr, 11.4 ± 2.0 km/hr). However, the second run velocity did not different from AT. The %HRmax of the first run was also significantly lower than that of the second run (85.7 ± 4.3% vs. 89.8 ± 2.6%). To further assess individual map-reading ability and physical conditioning, we constructed a four-quadrant analysis tool to interpret the current state and future training direction. Two of participants showed excellent map-reading ability and good physical conditioning, which matched their achievements in formal competition. CONCLUSION: A tool for assessing orienteer’s competence was developed. It may be helpful for a coach to prescribe individual training plan or select some talent athletes.