Race Performance Research Articles

Race and athletic performance: 2015 sports data analysis

Using methods such as literature review, statistical analysis, and logical reasoning, this study analyzes the influence of race on athletic performance based on data from three major competitions. It concludes that there are disparities among different races in terms of biological genetics and social backgrounds, as well as variations in the technical characteristics of different sports. The findings indicate that Black athletes have a significant advantage in track and field events, White athletes excel in swimming and strength-based sports, while Asian athletes perform well in skill-based events.

Changes in Race Performance During the Underwater Phases of a 200 m Bi-Fin Race Simulation After Application of Respiratory Muscle Training—A Case Study in the Current World Record Holder

Maximal athletic performance can be limited by various factors, including restricted respiratory function. These limitations can be mitigated through targeted respiratory muscle training, as supported by numerous studies. However, the full potential of respiratory training in competitive finswimming has not been fully investigated. This case study aims to evaluate the effects of eight-week respiratory muscle training (RMT) on performance variability during the underwater phases of a 200 m bi-fin race simulation in an elite finswimmer (current world record holder and multiple world championship medalist). Performance variability was assessed based on pre-test, inter-test, and post-test data. Each measurement included pulmonary function and swim performance evaluations. In this study, underwater performance parameters, such as distance, time, velocity, and number of kicks, were assessed using video analysis synchronized with race timing and evaluated using the Dartfish software. The swimmer followed a 28-day training program with an Airofit PRO™ respiratory trainer between tests, with daily sessions targeting both inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The training involved 6–10 min of targeted exercises per day. Significant improvements were observed in Wilcoxon’s paired-sample test between the pre-test and post-test results in terms of underwater distance (p = 0.012; d = 1.26), underwater time (p = 0.012; d = 1.26), and number of underwater kicks (p = 0.043; d = 1.01), resulting in a 14.23% longer underwater distance, 14.08% longer underwater time, and 14.94% increase in underwater kicks. Despite the increased distance and time, underwater velocity remained stable, indicating improved underwater performance efficiency. Despite some improvements, it is not possible to conclude that respiratory muscle training (RMT) can contribute to improved finswimming performance during the underwater phases of a 200 m bi-fin race simulation in this particular athlete’s case. Further research with a larger sample size is necessary to fully understand the impact of RMT on finswimming performance.

Boston Marathon athlete performance outcomes and intra-event medical encounter risk associated with low energy availability indicators

ObjectiveTo determine the association between survey-based self-reported problematic low energy availability indicators (LEA-I) and race performance and intra-event medical encounters during the Boston Marathon.Methods1030 runners who were registered for the...

Perceived Negative Menstrual Cycle Symptoms, but not Changes in Estrogen or Progesterone, are Associated with Impaired Cycling Race Performance.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between menstrual cycle (MC) phase-dependent fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone and virtual cycling race performance, with a secondary aim of correlating perceived MC-related symptoms with performance.Methods: In a novel observational study design, thirty-seven female cyclists/triathletes not using any hormonal contraception completed one virtual cycling race [19.5 km time trial (TT)] per week across a one-month period (totaling four races). Participants completed MC characterization and tracking, including urinary ovulation kits, across two complete MCs. Venous blood samples were collected within 21 h of racing to determine serum 17-β-estradiol and progesterone concentrations, as well as an assessment of self-reported, perceived race-day MC and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, which were all then correlated to race performance.Results: There was no relationship between race completion time and individual estradiol (r = -0.001, p = 0.992) or progesterone (r = -0.023, p = 0.833) concentrations. There was no difference between race time between MC phases (follicular/luteal, p = 0.238), whether MC bleeding or not bleeding (p = 0.619) and ovulating or not ovulating (p = 0.423). The total number of perceived MC symptoms recorded on race day was positively correlated to increased race time [r = 0.268 (95% CI 0.056 to 0.457), p = 0.014], as was the number of GI symptoms of at least "moderate" severity before the race (r = 0.233 [95% CI 0.021 to 0.425], p = 0.031), but not post-race (r = 0.022, p = 0.841).Conclusions: When implementing a novel, virtual cycling race, fluctuations in ovarian hormone concentrations across the MC do not appear to affect real-world cycling performance among trained cyclists, while perceived negative MC and GI symptoms may relate to impaired performance. Therefore, the management of negative MC and GI symptoms appears important for athletic performance enhancement or to mitigate performance decline.

The impact of long-haul travel and 13h time change on sleep and rest activity circadian rhythm in speed skaters during World Cup competitions.

Athletes frequently compete only a few days after long-haul travel. Longitudinal real-world data on athletes' sleep and sleep-wake cycle in competitive settings remain scarce. This study assessed the impact of a long-haul travel across ∼13 time zones on sleep patterns, rest-activity circadian rhythms (RAR), and their subsequent effects on neuromuscular function and race performance in the Canadian Short-Track Speed Skating Team. Nineteen athletes (24±4years, 11 women) travelled from Montréal (UTC-5) to Asia (UTC+8, UTC+9) for World Cup races between 2017 and 2019. Actigraphy data were collected before (Baseline) and during travel, during the stay in Asia (SIA), and during competition days. RAR were computed using cosinor analyses on accelerometry data with 24h phase periods. Countermovement jump height (CMJ) was measured in a subsample (n=10). Compared to baseline (7:08±0:53), athletes obtained less sleep during travel (6:16±1:27) and competition days (6:35±1:10), and more during SIA (7:32±0:46; time effect P<0.0001). Sleep efficiency and CMJ were greater in SIA than baseline (P=0.007 and P=0.0004, respectively). During SIA, sleep time increased by 9 min per night until the fifth day (P<0.0001), with a slight decrease in sleep efficiency (P=0.005) and an increase in CMJ (P<0.0001). For RAR, mean activity peaked on day 2, shifting from late evening to ∼15:00. Race performance was not different from other races of the same season (P>0.254). Our results demonstrated that, despite the possible sleep debt from the long-haul travel, athletes recovered within 5 days, highlighting their adaptability to manage sleep debt and jetlag without impacting competitive outcomes.

Wingate anaerobic test as a potential predictor of 500-m time in short track speed skating

ABSTRACT Short-Track Speed Skating (STSS) is an Olympic discipline in which anaerobic performance plays a central role. An established assessment tool for anaerobic performance in STSS athletes is the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). The aim of this study was to investigate whether WAnT could be used as a predictor of sport-specific performance in the STSS 500-m races. Data from 72 German national STSS athletes (33 female, 39 male) were analysed retrospectively. The statistical analyses included descriptive procedures as well as linear mixed-model analyses. The results showed significant correlations between WAnT outcomes and 500 -m performance of STSS athletes. In male athletes, the coefficients were −0.40 for relative Mean Power (rMP) and −0.32 for relative Peak Power (rPP) (p < 0.001). For female athletes, the rMP showed no significant correlation whereas rPP was significantly correlated with a coefficient of −0.41 (p < 0.001). Marginal R2 values ranged between 0% and 12%. Conditional R2 reached up to 76% depending on sex and WAnT parameter investigated. In conclusion while WAnT can be regarded as a potential predictor of time in 500-m STSS races, it should be used in conjunction with other performance metrics and individualized assessments to better predict performance.

Effects of polarized and pyramidal training, with or without mindfulness, on race time and performance in amateur runners: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Problem: Road races in athletics has increased worldwide in recent years, leading to a growth in amateur runners (AR). Despite this growth, research aimed at this population is scarce and has methodological weaknesses. One topic of recent interest in AR is the effects of training intensity distribution (TID) and mindfulness on race time (RT); however, there is not enough evidence to establish a consensus among scientists, trainers, and athletes. Objective: To compare the effects of four training programs with polarized and pyramidal TID models on 10 km RT, ventilatory thresholds one and two, maximum aerobic speed, maximum oxygen consumption and body composition in AR. Method: A randomized controlled clinical trial with four parallel arms. The study groups include two with a polarized TID model and two with a pyramidal TID model, both combined with and without a mindfulness program over 12 weeks. Mindfulness practice will consist of 65 minutes per week through individual sessions and group workshops. Discussion: The practice of recreational athletics is increasing; however, the effect of TID and mindfulness on RT in this population have not been extensively studied. Keywords: Training intensity distribution, mindfulness, amateur runners, race time, body composition, polarized training, pyramidal training.

Staging Haiti in Nineteenth-Century America: Revolution, Race and Popular Performance by Peter P. Reed (review)

Staging Haiti in Nineteenth-Century America: Revolution, Race and Popular Performance by Peter P. Reed (review)

Occurrence of astrovirus in young racing pigeons and genome characterization of 2 new astrovirus genomes representing 2 new species

Enteropathies are a serious concern in racing pigeons as they significantly impair performance in races and their training, and viruses are suspected to be one of the main factors. Astroviruses are well-known to be responsible for causing enteric disease in humans and various other animals including birds, although their prevalence and pathogenicity in pigeons is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated 2 groups of young racing pigeons (sick-study group and healthy-control group) to assess the correlation between the number of astrovirus genome copies in cloacal swabs and the occurrence of enteropathy. To determine this, we developed a novel TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) methods for astrovirus detection and absolute quantitative analysis. We also performed high-throughput sequencing to obtain the complete genome sequences and establish the genetic similarity of the obtained strains to known astroviruses of poultry and other avian species. Two new complete genome sequences of pigeon astroviruses in the Avastrovirus genus were identified, representing 2 new species. These were found most closely related to astroviruses identified in Columbidae species and chickens. They share an average of 75.8% genome-wide pairwise identity and 57.6% and 64.6% capsid protein sequence identity with other unclassified columbid avastrovirus sequences in GenBank. Although the difference in prevalence of astrovirus in the study and control group was found statistically insignificant, there was a significant difference between the number of genome copies in positive samples from both groups. These unambiguous results leave the role of astroviruses as enteropathogenic factors in pigeons still undetermined.

Professional long distance runners achieve high efficiency at the cost of weak orbital stability

Successful performance in long distance race requires both high efficiency and stability. Previous research has demonstrated the high running efficiency of trained runners, but no prior study quantitatively addressed their orbital stability. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency and orbital stability of 8 professional long-distance runners and compared them with those of 8 novices. We calculated the cost of transport and normalized mechanical energy to assess physiological and mechanical running efficiency, respectively. We quantified orbital stability using Floquet Multipliers, which assess how fast a system converges to a limit cycle under perturbations. Our results show that professional runners run with significantly higher physiological and mechanical efficiency but with weaker orbital stability compared to novices. This finding is consistent with the inevitable trade-off between efficiency and stability; increase in orbital stability necessitates increase in energy dissipation. We suggest that professional runners have developed the ability to exploit inertia beneficially, enabling them to achieve higher efficiency partly at the cost of sacrificing orbital stability.

Ultramarathon runners and support crew: The influence of pre-race sleep and training profiles on performance in a 217-km mountain race

The present study evaluates the effects of pre-race sleep and training characteristics among ultra-athletes and support crew, and the influence of these factors on the athlete's performance in a 217-km ultramarathon. A total of 38 ultramarathon runners and 59 support crew members were assessed. The participants answered questionnaires about chronotype, sleep quality, sleepiness, basic demographics, and pre-race training. The clinical trial registration number is RBR-7j6d23v. The results showed that athletes and support crew had a morning-type chronotype and good sleep efficiency; most had poor-quality sleep. The athletes who finished the race had a higher sleep latency than non-finishers (p < 0.001). The quality of sleep may have impacted performance because the athletes with good sleep quality trained one day more per week than those without (p < 0.001), and training frequency was highly correlated with the race time (r = −0.59). These findings are novel, expand the data about sleep, training, and performance in an ultramarathon, and innovate by addressing the support crew.

Shared plasma metabolomic profiles of cognitive and mobility decline predict future dementia

Experiencing decline in both cognition and mobility is associated with a substantially higher dementia risk than cognitive decline only. Metabolites associated with both cognitive and mobility declines may be early predictors of dementia and reveal specific pathways to dementia. We analyzed data from 2450 participants initially free of dementia who had 613 metabolites measured in plasma in 1998–1999 (mean age = 75.2 ± 2.9 years old, 37.8% Black, 50% women) from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study. Dementia diagnosis was determined by race-specific decline in 3MS scores, medication use, and hospital records through 2014. Cognition and mobility were repeatedly measured using 3MS and a 20-m walking test up to 10 years, respectively. We examined metabolite associations with changes in 3MS (n = 2046) and gait speed (n = 2019) using multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, race, and baseline performance and examined metabolite associations with dementia risk using Cox regression. During a mean follow-up of 9.3 years, 534 (21.8%) participants developed dementia. On average, 3MS declined 0.47/year and gait declined 0.04 m/sec/year. After covariate adjustment, 75 metabolites were associated with cognitive decline, and 111 metabolites were associated with gait decline (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05). Twenty-six metabolites were associated with both cognitive and gait declines. Eighteen of 26 metabolites were associated with dementia risk (p < 0.05), notably amino acids, glycerophospholipids (lysoPCs, PCs, PEs), and sphingolipids. Results remained similar after adjusting for cardiovascular disease or apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carrier status. During aging, metabolomic profiles of cognitive decline and mobility decline show distinct and shared signatures. Shared metabolomic profiles suggest that inflammation and deficits in mitochondria and the urea cycle in addition to the central nervous system may play key roles in both cognitive and mobility declines and predict dementia. Future studies are warranted to investigate longitudinal metabolite changes and metabolomic markers with dementia pathologies.

Biseasonal Changes in Aerobic Capacity and Sports Performance in Highly Trained Mountain Bike Cyclists Applying Elements of the Polarized Training Programme

Abstract Introduction. This study assessed maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), power output and sports performance in mountain bike cyclists applying elements of the polarized training programme (POL) Material and Methods. Seven cyclists participated in the study. Immediately before the 2-year experiment (T1), and five times during the experiment (T2, T3, T4, T5, T6), incremental and verification tests were performed to assess VO2max, peak aerobic power (Ppeak) and power at the second ventilatory threshold (PVT2). During the experiment, sports performance in mountain bike cyclists at National Championships, European Championships, World Championships, and World Cup were analyzed. The cyclists performed POL for seven months in each year of the experiment. POL included sprint interval training, high-intensity interval training, and low-intensity endurance training. Results. In the group of cyclists VO2max [l∙min−1] increased in T6 (4.14 ± 1.13) compared to T1 (3.74 ± 0.95), Ppeak [W] increased in T4, T5 and T6 (353 ± 78.45; 350.14 ± 87.96; 360.23 ± 93.83; respectively) compared to T1 (324.14 ± 90.24), and PVT2 [W] increased in T3, T4, T5 and T6 (265.57 ± 80.66; 267.29 ± 63.74; 266.43 ± 69.29; 276.71 ± 78.99; respectively) compared to T1 (229.29 ± 62.91). Cyclists’ sports performance improved during the experiment, and one of them won bronze medal at the World Championships. Conclusions. During the biseasonal experiment using elements of the polarized training programme, improvements in VO2max, Ppeak and PVT2 were observed in cyclists, which was accompanied by better sports performance in cycling races.

Determinants of Thoroughbred yearling sales price in the UK

AbstractBackgroundIndustry‐level figures suggest that up to two‐thirds of Thoroughbred breeding operations in the UK are unprofitable and that around half of sales transactions of Thoroughbred yearlings, commercial breeders’ predominant income source, return a loss. The industry strategy currently endorses investment in stallion covering fee; however, to date, a comprehensive evaluation of sales price determinants in the UK setting is lacking and could better inform economic decision making to improve profitability.MethodsSales catalogue and Weatherbys’ stud book data from all Thoroughbred yearlings sold at the 2020 Tattersalls October yearling sale in the UK were used to build a hedonic sales price model. Explanatory variables representing sire, dam, yearling and sales attributes were evaluated. The final model's accuracy was assessed using out‐of‐sample data from all yearlings sold in the equivalent 2021 sale.ResultsIn 2020, a total of 1506 catalogued yearlings, representing around 30% of the UK Thoroughbred foal crop, were sold, with a median price of £42,575 (interquartile range 15,750‒105,000; range 840‒3,570,000). The sires’ covering fee, maternal siblings’ race performance attributes, whether the yearling was the dams’ first foal, consignment size, catalogue book and day of sale within book significantly influenced auction price; however, relationships were complex with significant interaction and confounding observed. The mean model forecasting error was £2074. The use of data from only one sale could affect generalisability.ConclusionsThese novel findings can inform breeding decisions to maximise profitability, give context for current industry strategies and can inform valuations of breeding stock.

Technologically advanced running shoes reduce oxygen cost and cumulative tibial loading per kilometer in recreational female and male runners

Technologically advanced running shoes (TARS) improve performance compared to classical running shoes (CRS). Improved race performance has been attributed to metabolic savings in male runners, but it remains unclear if these same benefits are experienced among females and in recreational runners. The mechanisms behind these benefits are still not fully understood despite the need for optimisation, and their influence on injury mechanisms has not been explored. Here we combined biomechanical, physiological, and modelling approaches to analyse joint mechanics, oxygen uptake, and tibial load in nineteen male and female recreational runners running with CRS and TARS at their individual lactate threshold speed (12.4 ± 1.9 km/h). Oxygen uptake was 3.0 ± 1.5% lower in TARS than in CRS. Ankle dorsiflexion, joint moment and joint power were reduced in TARS compared to CRS at various phases of stance including midstance, while knee joint mechanics were mostly similar throughout. There were no significant differences for tibial bending moment during the stance phase but cumulative tibial damage per kilometre was 12 ± 9% lower in TARS compared to CRS. Our results suggest that running with TARS reduces oxygen cost in recreational female and male runners, which may partly be explained by differences in lower limb joint mechanics. The lower cumulative tibial bone load with TARS may allow runners to run longer distances in this type of shoe compared to CRS.

Computational Analysis of Aerodynamic Drafting Effects in Lemans Racing Cars

Le Mans racing is a comprehensive motorsport event that tests not only the long-distance stability of race cars but also considers fuel economy and speed, where aerodynamics plays a crucial role. Many manufacturers place great emphasis on the aerodynamic design of race cars. However, in-depth research on the application of drafting effects in Le Mans racing and studies on team formations are somewhat lacking. Through Ansys simulations, this study deeply explores the impact of drafting on race cars and, by varying the distances between cars, identifies differences in air resistance encountered by different formations. The findings reveal that drafting can substantially decrease the aerodynamic drag experienced by race cars when they are positioned at relatively close proximities to each other. As this distance increases, a "drag bubble" phenomenon occurs within a certain range, where the trailing cars begin to experience increased resistance. On the other hand, the study of car formations under race-regulated conditions has identified optimal vehicle spacing that minimizes the average aerodynamic drag faced by the team, providing strategic insights into the arrangement of team formations for improved race performance.

INSCYD physiological performance software is valid to determine the maximal lactate steady state in male and female cyclists.

The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) is defined as the highest workload that can be maintained without blood lactate accumulation over time. The power output at MLSS (PMLSS) is regularly implemented to define training zones, quantify training progress, or predict race performance. The gold standard methodology for MLSS determination requires two to five trials of constant-load exercise, which limits the practical application in training. The INSCYD software can calculate the PMLSS (PMLSSINSCYD) based on physiological data that can be obtained during a ∼1 h laboratory visit. However, to the best of our knowledge, the validity of the most recent software version has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to assess the validity of the software's calculations on PMLSS in cycling. The data for this study were retrieved from two published scientific sources. Thirty-one cyclists (19 males, 12 females) performed a 15 s sprint to estimate the VLamax, a ramp test for the assessment, and two to five constant-load tests to determine the PMLSS. The INSCYD software was used to calculate the PMLSS based on the , VLamax, sex, body mass, and body composition. The PMLSSINSCYD was higher than the PMLSS in the entire sample (mean difference: 4.6 W, p < 0.05, 95% CI 0.8-8.3 W) and in men (mean difference: 6.6 W, p < 0.05, 95% CI 1.3-11.8 W), but not in women (mean difference: 0.8 W, n.s., 95% CI -3.7 to 5.3 W), which was within the typical error of the PMLSS estimations (∼3%). In 12 subjects (nine males, three females), the PMLSSINSCYD differed by 3.1-7.3% compared to the MLSS. The Pearson correlations between the measured PMLSS and the calculated PMLSS (PMLSSINSCYD) were very strong in men (r = 0.974, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.933-0.99), women (r = 0.984, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.931-0.996), and for the entire sample (r = 0.992, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.982-0.996). In conclusion, the PMLSS can be accurately calculated using the INSCYD software, but it still requires advanced testing equipment to collect valid and VLamax data.

Abstract PO5-17-08: Real world outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ER-positive/PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

Abstract Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is utilized to downstage locally-advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/progesterone receptor-positive (PR+), HER2-negative breast cancer despite modest pathological complete response (pCR) rates. The two most commonly utilized regimens include docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide (TC) or dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (ddAC-T). Given few head-to-head comparisons of neoadjuvant TC with ddAC-T in this population, we performed a real world data analysis. Methods: 148 patients with ER+/PR+, HER2-negative breast cancer were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen used (TC vs ddAC-T) and the clinical responses to chemotherapy were categorized as complete, partial, no response/stable, or progressive disease. We examined the differences or associations in demographics, clinical characteristics, overall survival (OS), and invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) between TC and ddAC-T neoadjuvant chemotherapy. pCR was defined as the absence of invasive carcinoma in breast and lymph nodes (ypT0/ypTis and ypN0). Partial response was defined as a decrease in either or both T and/or N stage, compared to pre-treatment evaluation; no response was defined as no change in either T or N categories; and progressive disease was defined as an increase in either the T or N staging at time of pathologic evaluation. Results: The median age of participants was 55 years (range 28-78 years). 67% had clinical stage II disease, while 26% had stage III. 130 participants received neoadjuvant ddAC-T while 18 participants received TC. The ddAC-T group had 7% patients who achieved a pCR and 37% with a partial response, compared to the TC group with 0% of patients with a pCR and 33% with a partial response. The TC group had a higher rate of progressive disease, compared to the ddAC-T group (67% versus 20%). On univariate analysis, the choice of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not predictive of pathologic response (p = 0.3864). As expected, premenopausal status was associated with a higher likelihood of a pathologic response with an odds ratio of 2.917 (95% CI: 1.465-5.809). On multivariate analysis, chemotherapy regimen was not predictive of pathologic response (p = 0.6047), after controlling the effects of age and menopausal status. No significant difference was noted in OS or IDFS at 24 and 48 months between the ddAC-T and TC groups. On multivariate analysis, controlling for BMI, ER, PR, race, and ECOG performance status, the choice of chemotherapy was not predictive of IDFS. Non-white participants appeared to have inferior IDFS (HR = 2.956, 95% CI: 1.208, 7.238, p-value = 0.0177). Conclusion: In this single-center retrospective analysis, we show real world outcomes of the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens among patients with ER+/PR+, HER2-negative breast cancer. Both ddAC-T and TC had low pCR rates, 5.98% and 0%, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between IDFS or OS when comparing the two chemotherapy regimens. More data are needed to optimize neoadjuvant treatment in this patient population and to determine whether anthracyclines can be avoided. Table. Pathologic responses The results (summarized by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% CI) from logistic regression on the pathological responses (complete and partial). Citation Format: Matthew Kurian, Marcus Trybula, Kanchi Patell, Gregory Guzik, Seunghee Margevicius, Pingfu Fu, Alberto Montero, James Martin. Real world outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ER-positive/PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-17-08.

Countermovement-Jump and Pull-Up Performance Before and After a Swimming Race in Preparatory and Competitive Phases of a Swimming Season.

Monitoring performance athletes' training responses can be efficiently completed at competitive events. This study aimed to explore the changes in swimming, countermovement-jump (CMJ), and pull-up (PU) performance following training across a competitive phase, as well as immediately before and after each race. Fourteen well-trained male sprint/middle-distance swimmers (height 179 [7]cm, mass 70 [8]kg, age 18 [2]y), from 3 regional training groups, completed CMJ and PU tests before and after the national competitions in October and May, when race performance was also assessed. Swimming race performance was significantly improved from before the national competitions in October to after the national competitions in May (1.8% [3.2%], P = .044, d = 0.60, moderate effect). Although there were no significant changes in PU velocity, CMJ performance significantly improved from before the national competitions in October to after the national competitions in May (mean difference 2.29cm, P = .004, d = 3.52) and showed before-to-after race decreases (mean difference -1.64cm, P = .04, d = 2.28). Swimming performance and CMJ performance improved as the season progressed, although these improvements were not directly correlated. PU performance did not appear to be sensitive to training or race-induced fatigue, in contrast to CMJ, in this group of male swimmers.

Sex differences in ultramarathon performance in races with comparable numbers of males and females.

There is a prominent sex-based difference in athletic performance such that males outperform females by 7%-14% in races from 100m to marathon. In ultramarathons, the difference is often much smaller, leading to speculation that females are "built" for the sport. However, data are confounded by the low number of female participants; just 10%-30% in any given race. This study compared data from two ultramarathons where males and females competed in comparable numbers. There were 116 and 146 starters in the 50 mile and 100 mile races, respectively (52% female). Finish times were compared using t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, a Chi-squared test of independence examined the relationship between sex and ranking, and multivariable linear regressions examined relationships between sex, age, and finish time. There were 96 finishers in the 50 mile race (46% female) and 91 finishers in the 100 mile race (45% female). The median finish time for 50 miles was 12.64±2.11h with no difference between sexes (1.2%, p=0.441). However, the top-10 males finished the race ∼85min faster than the top-10 females (13.8%, p=0.045). The mean finish time for 100 miles was 31.58±3.36h with no difference between sexes (3.2%, p=0.132) and no difference between the top-10 males and top-10 females (4.4%, p=0.150). Linear and multivariable regression models using sex and age were unable to predict overall finish time in either race. In conclusion, the sex-based performance discrepancy shrinks to 1%-3% in ultramarathons when males and females compete in comparable numbers. Top-performing males still retain a considerable advantage over shorter distances.