Race Strategy Research Articles

Analysis of quantile regression for race time in standard distance triathlons.

This study aims to quantitatively analyze the impact of split times on overall performance in standard distance triathlon events. It also examines how environmental factors such as water type, temperature, and altitude affect overall race outcomes. Quantile regression was employed to analyze the race records of 1,580 triathletes participating in 46 standard distance events in China. Swim time significantly influences race performance among the top 50% of elite athletes (p < 0.05). For slower elite athletes, bike time is more critical. Temperature has a positive effect on race times, while altitude also shows a significant positive impact, with race times decreasing as altitude increases (up to 1,600 meters in this study's dataset). River water enhances race times compared to still water, whereas sea water generally slows athletes down. The influence of split times and environmental factors on overall race rime varies according to the athletes' performance levels. To optimize results, training plans and race strategies should be tailored to each athlete's capabilities. Additionally, understanding and adapting to environmental conditions in advance is crucial.

Pacing strategies of 10 km elite open water swimmers with enhanced temporal resolution: World Swimming Championships Budapest 2022

ABSTRACT The pacing and tactical race strategies of open water (OW) swimmers have been recognized as significant performance determinants in these events, despite the limited resolution of available race data due to the aquatic environment constraints. The main objective of the study was to re-examine the pacing strategies and race tactics of elite OW swimmers from new enhanced temporal resolution data during the 2022 World Championships (WCH). Data were collected from 58 males and 58 females participants classified into 5 performance groups (G1-G5) depending on their finishing positions. Average velocity, stroke rate, and partial positions were obtained for each swimmer in 17 timing points over the 10 km race (on average 550 m or 5.5% of the race distance). The pacing strategies of successful swimmers, especially men, showed a less conservative behaviour than previous WCH with leading race positions (at least top-6) from the race early stages and a lower race density (≈2%) upon arrival. The enhanced temporal resolution race data showed greater pacing variations as well as end race spurts over a shorter distance than previously reported for successful competitors. These results describe a partly new paradigm in OW race strategies compared to previous race data with low temporal resolution.

Pivoting: Responding to the Mental Health Needs of Youth of Color With Technology

Mental health treatments currently available to address racial discrimination for 21 million youth of color are inadequate. Given the nascent but promising mechanisms found within behavioral health interventions via racial socialization, or the process through which children acquire knowledge about race, developing effective and scalable therapeutic strategies to contend with the stress from racism and discrimination is possible. We outline the active ingredients that facilitate behavioral change for youth psychosocial outcomes impacted by racial discrimination and describe how technology is being utilized for current and future implementation efforts. We argue that technological advancement, in addition to ecological considerations, is crucial for the reduction of structural and interpersonal risk factors negatively influencing the psychological wellness of youth of color. Technology integration across implementation and assessment will be critical, particularly given the potential for technology to further exacerbate mental health disparities.

Nectin1 is a pivotal host factor involved in attachment and entry of red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus in the early stages of the viral life cycle.

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is a highly neurotropic virus that poses a persistent threat to the survival of multiple fish species. However, its inimitable neuropathogenesis remains largely elusive. To rummage potential partners germane to the nervous system, we investigated the interaction between red-spotted grouper NNV (RGNNV) and grouper brain by immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry and discerned Nectin1 as a novel host factor subtly involved in viral early invasion events. Nectin1 was abundant in neural tissues and implicated in the inception of tunnel nanotubes triggered by RGNNV. Its overexpression not only dramatically potentiated the replication dynamics of RGNNV in susceptible cells, but also empowered non-sensitive cells to expeditiously capture free virions within 2 min. This potency was impervious to low temperatures but was dose-dependently suppressed by soluble protein or specific antibody of Nectin1 ectodomain, indicating Nectin1 as an attachment receptor for RGNNV. Mechanistically, efficient hijacking of virions by Nectin1 strictly depended on intricate linkages to different modules of viral capsid protein, especially the direct binding between the IgC1 loop and P-domain. More strikingly, despite abortive proliferation in Nectin1-reconstructed CHSE-214 cells, a non-sensitive cell, RGNNV could gain access to the intracellular compartment by capitalizing on Nectin1, thereby inducing canonical cytoplasmic vacuolation. Altogether, our findings delineate a candidate entrance for RGNNV infiltration into the nervous system, which may shed unprecedented insights into the exploration and elucidation of RGNNV pathogenesis.IMPORTANCENervous necrosis virus (NNV) is one of the most virulent pathogens in the aquaculture industry, which inflicts catastrophic damage to ecology, environment, and economy annually around the world. Nevertheless, its idiosyncratic invasion and latency mechanisms pose enormous hardships to epidemic prevention and control. In this study, deploying grouper brain as a natural screening library, a single-transmembrane glycoprotein, Nectin1, was first identified as an emergent functional receptor for red-spotted grouper NNV (RGNNV) that widely allocated in nervous tissues and directly interacted with viral capsid protein through distinct Ig-like loops to bridge virus-host crosstalk, apprehend free virions, and concomitantly propel viral entry. Our findings illuminate the critical role of Nectin1 in RGNNV attachment and entry and provide a potential target for future clinical intervention strategies in the therapeutic race against RGNNV.

A Data-driven Race Strategy Tool for Olympic Sailing Competitions

_ Venue-specific training has, over the years, proven to be a key asset for sailing teams performing at major championships and at the Olympics. A comprehensive understanding of the environmental features and possible weather scenarios in an outdoor sport like sailing can provide athletes with a significant strategic advantage. At the same time, GPS tracking is becoming a readily available technology that athletes use both in training and during races to analyse their own and their competitor's performance. This work couples environmental and meteorological data with GPS tracks for Olympic sailing classes, linking weather features with strategic decisions on the race track. We propose a greedy algorithm to search for an optimal route based on weather forecasts to present the best strategy prior to the race. Our results show the potential of this approach to provide valuable decision support for athletes in Olympic sailing competitions, demonstrated for the 470 Olympic class. Keywords Olympic sailing; path planning; data-driven methods; meteorology; A* algorithm

Analysis of the Laboratory and In-Competition Characteristics of Adolescent Motocross (MX) Riders: An In Situ Case Study

Motocross is one of the most popular high-speed motorcycle races, which takes place on a naturally closed track with significant challenges. This study aimed to characterize anthropometric, circulatory, and lower and upper limb muscle properties based on laboratory and race-recorded characteristics. Male competitors (n = 3) aged 14 years (MX) were included in the study. All three boys have national and international experience. Metabolic characteristics (ventilation, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production) and heart rate (HR) were measured in the laboratory while HR and speed were measured while racing. No significant difference was found between the three competitors in terms of HR during the race. In terms of number of sprints (No. sprint) and maximum speed (Speedmax), we found the most successful runner (highest finisher) to have the most sprints and maximum speed. Comparing the metabolic characteristics, it was found that racing was between the respiratory breakpoint (VT1) and the respiratory compensation point (RCP), but, in several cases, crossed the anaerobic threshold. While motocross riders are exposed to extreme conditions and high physical demands, in motorsport, victories depend not only on the athlete’s physical abilities but also on several factors such as driving technique, mental effort, equipment efficiency and resistance, race strategy, and team competence.

Formula-E Multi-Car Race Strategy Development—A Novel Approach Using Reinforcement Learning

Formula-E Multi-Car Race Strategy Development—A Novel Approach Using Reinforcement Learning

Predicting Lead Changes in Tennis Matches based on Machine Learning Models

Based on men's singles data from the 2023 Wimbledon Tennis Championships, this study applies advanced statistical and machine learning techniques (including Principal Component Analysis PCA, Uniform Streaming Approximation and Projection UMAP, Random Forests, and Extreme Random Trees Extra-Trees) to explore the dynamics of lead changes during matches. By constructing mathematical models, the study predicts lead changes at key moments of the race that have a decisive impact on the race strategy and outcome. The experimental results show that the Extreme Random Trees model performs well on all evaluation metrics, especially in terms of accuracy, recall and F1 score, demonstrating its ability to handle complex interactions and variations in the data. In addition, the CatBoost model performed well in identifying actual leading changes, but with lower accuracy, possibly due to overfitting certain data patterns. The hybrid model, on the other hand, demonstrated a balanced performance, although it failed to outperform the extreme random tree model in terms of overall effectiveness.

The Characteristics of Endurance Events with a Variable Pacing Profile-Time to Embrace the Concept of "Intermittent Endurance Events"?

A variable pacing profile is common in different endurance events. In these races, several factors, such as changes in elevation or race dynamics, lead participants to perform numerous surges in intensity. These surges are so frequent that certain events, such as cross-country (XC) skiing, mountain biking (MTB), triathlon, and road cycling, have been termed "intermittent endurance events". The characteristics of these surges vary depending on the sport: MTB and triathlon require athletes to perform numerous short (<10 s) bouts; XC skiing require periods of short- and moderate-(30 s to 2 min) duration efforts, while road cycling is comprised of a mix of short-, moderate-, and long-duration (>2 min) bouts. These bouts occur at intensities above the maximal metabolic steady state (MMSS), with many efforts performed at intensities above the athletes' maximal aerobic power or speed (MAP/MAS) (i.e., supramaximal intensities). Given the factors that influence the requirement to perform surges in these events, athletes must be prepared to always engage in a race with a highly stochastic pace. The aim of this review is to characterize the variable pacing profile seen in endurance events and to discuss how the performance of multiple maximal and supramaximal surges in intensity can affect how athletes fatigue during a race and influence training strategies that can lead to success in these races.

Black and Latiné parents' perspectives on supporting their children's emotional and physical health.

Informed by integrative models of cultural resilience, the purpose of this study was to (a) explore how parents are promoting their children's emotional and physical health, with a focus on race and ethnic-racial socialization strategies, and (b) identify the barriers and challenges parents are experiencing in supporting their children's health. Ethnically racially matched qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 parents (82% women, 64% Black, 36% Latiné). Results of thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (a) Strategies for Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, (b) Challenges Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, and (c) Impact of Racism on Parenting and Children's Health. Most parents believed that racism had an impact on their parenting decisions and their children's health; however, there were some differences in ethnic-racial socialization practices between Black and Latiné parents. Findings have implications for culturally relevant parenting approaches to support children's emotional and physical health.

Komunikasi Korporasi dalam Menjalin Hubungan dengan Dunia Usaha dan Dunia Industri (DUDI) untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Peserta Didik

Ideally, Vocational High School (SMK) serves as an educational institution dedicated to equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for a smooth transition into the workforce. However, many vocational school graduates are unemployed. Therefore, to deal with this problem, vocational schools need to implement good corporate communication with DUDI in order to improve the quality of their students. This research aims to determine the objectives and corporate communication strategies used by the Industrial Relationship section of SMK Amaliah 1 and 2 Ciawi to DUDI and the impact on improving the quality of students. This research method uses qualitative methods with interview, observation and documentation data collection techniques. Interview sessions were held with four informants. The results of this research show that the corporate communication carried out by SMK Amaliah 1 and 2 Ciawi aims to persuade DUDI to collaborate. Apart from that, SMK Amaliah 1 and 2 Ciawi applies the RACE strategy model to carry out its communication so that the school is able to improve the quality of students through learning media, teacher competency, learning facilities and the curriculum used.

A study of triathletes’ race strategies in different competition environments

What is known, sports performance is impacted by a variety of factors. While most people understand the importance of training, proper nutrition, and adequate rest, not as many recognize the impact of environmental factors on athletic performance. This paper investigates the race strategies of Chinese triathletes in different competition environments, with a focus on the performance of professional triathletes during the Olympic Distance Triathlon held in China between 2015 and 2021. Data from 984 athletes who competed in 26 races were analyzed to evaluate the sensitivity of the three splits of swimming, cycling, and running to overall triathlon performance under different temperature (low, normal, and high), altitude (low, normal, and high), and waters (sea, river, and still waters) conditions. Results show that the effects of the three split times on overall time vary across different environments. Cycling has the greatest impact on overall performance when the temperature is suitable (at low temperature, at normal temperature) and the altitude is suitable (at low altitude, at normal altitude). While running has the greatest impact in high-temperature and high-altitude environments. For female athletes, in river waters, swimming has a greater effect on overall performance than cycling, but less than running. These findings provide practical suggestions for athletes, coaches, and competition organizers to optimize training and race strategies based on specific environmental conditions.

Pre-surgical factors related to latent trajectories of 5-year weight loss for a diverse bariatric surgery population

BackgroundAnalyzing trajectories of weight loss may address how particular groups of patients respond to metabolic and bariatric surgery. ObjectivesThe Bariatric Experience Long Term (BELONG) study was designed to use a theoretical model to examine determinants of weight loss and recurrence. SettingLarge integrated health system in Southern California with 11 surgical practices and 23 surgeons. MethodsA total of n = 1338 patients who had metabolic and bariatric surgery were surveyed before surgery to measure factors related to median percent total weight loss (%TWL) over 5 years. Longitudinal weight data were available for n = 1024 (76.5% of the sample). Data were analyzed using latent growth mixture models (GMM) to estimate trajectories of weight change separately for gastric sleeve and bypass operations. These trajectories were then described using relevant variables from the baseline survey. ResultsFor both gastric sleeve (n = 733) and bypass (n = 291) operations, 3 latent trajectories of median %TWL were found corresponding to most, moderate, and least %TWL. Sleeve trajectories were distinguished by body mass index at surgery and geocoded environmental factors. Bypass trajectories varied by self-reported and geocoded environmental factors, comorbidity burden, race, experiential avoidance, and weight control strategies. ConclusionsFuture research should examine the role of the built and perceived environment in surgical weight loss. Bariatric practices should focus less on the presurgical period for predictors of long-term weight loss and begin efforts to monitor real-time patient-reported outcomes to help tailor intervention strategies for patients who either do not lose an expected amount of weight or who begin to experience weight recurrence.

Intensity Distribution of Collegiate Cross-Country Competitions.

The primary purpose of the current investigation was to perform an intensity distribution analysis of a collegiate cross-country (CC) competition, with a secondary purpose to compare race times (RT) with modeled performance times (MPT). Participants completed an incremental treadmill test to determine gas exchange threshold (GET), while the three-minute all-out test was conducted on a 400 m outdoor track to determine critical velocity (CV) and D prime (D'). GET and CV were used as physiological markers for the intensity zones based on heart rate (HR) and running velocity (RV), while CV and D' were used to determine modeled performance times. Participants wore a Global Positioning System (GPS) watch and heart rate (HR) monitor during competition races. Statistically, less time was spent in HR Zone 1 (12.1% ± 13.7%) compared to Zones 2 (37.6% ± 30.2%) and 3 (50.3% ± 33.7%), while a statically greater amount of time was spent in RV Zone 2 (75.0% ± 20.7%) compared to Zones 1 (8.4% ± 14.0%) and 3 (16.7% ± 19.1%). RTs (1499.5 ± 248.5 seconds (s)) were statistically slower compared to MPTs (1359.6 ± 192.7 s). The observed differences in time spent in each zone are speculated to be related to the influence of environmental conditions on internal metrics and difference in the kinetics of HR and running velocity. Differences in RTs and MPTs are likely due to the MPT equation modeling all-out performance and not considering race strategies.

Hurdling on home straight in the women 3000m steeplechase

The 3000m steeplechase is an event in which athletes must clear 28 hurdles and 7 water jumps while competing for the fastest time. In this race, women must clear hurdles set at a height of 0.762 meters, whereas men face hurdles set at a height of 0.914 meters. There is a paucity of research on the 3000m steeplechase compared to other long-distance events. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of hurdle clearance for the 3000m steeplechase. Investigating how to clear the hurdles on the home straight could significantly enhance race strategies and performance. Data were collected from the women’s 3000m steeplechase races at Kanto intercollegiate race. 15 women’s performances were analyzed. The 3000m steeplechase races were recorded by video camera. All jumps from participants were digitized using Kinovea (version 0.9.3). I focused on variables of three steps related to the three steps around hurdles, and comparisons were made among each lap. In terms of total clearance speed, we observed that lap 4 had a lower speed than lap 3, and lap 7 had a higher speed than lap 4. Before the increase in speed at the hurdle, there was an increase in the length of three steps in lap 7. Athletes in the final lap took off from a longer distance and achieved a faster clearance speed. The step frequency before hurdle clearance was higher in lap1 and lap2 than in lap4, lap5, lap6, and lap7. In addition, step frequency after hurdle clearance did not differ among laps and was lower than before hurdle clearance. Fatigue might be a contributing factor to this decline in step frequency before hurdle clearance. It would be advantageous for athletes to consciously increase their step frequency when approaching the next hurdle. The present study provided practical evidence for hurdle clearance of 3000m steeplechase.

Be Aware of the Benefits of Drafting in Sports and Take Your Advantage: A Meta-Analysis.

In competitive sports, optimizing performance is the key. An interesting venue to explore is to consider drafting as a pacing strategy. The purpose of this study is to identify the magnitude of drafting benefits for biomechanical, physiological, and psychobiological parameters in and between athletes in cycling, kayaking, running, skating, skiing, and swimming. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. In total, 205 studies were found, from which 22 were relevant (including 232 participants and 548 observations). Methodological quality was high for all the included articles. The meta-analyses for all parameters indicated strong evidence for a benefit of drafting, with moderate effects between leading and drafting athletes found for the heart rate (3.9%), VO2 (8.9%), power output (11.3%), and rating of perceived exertion (10.4%). Large effect sizes were found for blood lactate (24.2%), VE (16.2%), and EMG (56.4%). A moderator analysis showed differences between sports on the effect of drafting with most benefits in cycling. Discussion. Based on the observed effects of drafting in the biomechanical, physiological, and psychobiological parameters, it can be considered as an element of pacing, a strategy to conserve energy and optimize performance. There is strong evidence that drafting benefits athletes, with varying levels of effect for athletes in different sports. Knowledge about the magnitude of benefits can be used to improve training sessions, race strategies, and performance in competition.

From Entry to Finals: Progression and Variability of Swimming Performance at the 2022 FINA World Championships

The aim of the present study was two-fold: (i) to analyze the progression and variability of swimming performance (from entry times to best performances) in the 50, 100, and 200 m at the most recent FINA World Championships and (ii) to compare the performance of the Top16, semifinalists, and finalists between all rounds. Swimmers who qualified with the FINA A and B standards for the Budapest 2022 World Championships were considered. A total of 1102 individual performances swimmers were analyzed in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events. The data was retrieved from the official open-access websites of OMEGA and FINA. Wilcoxon test was used to compare swimmers’ entry times and best performances. Repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test were performed to analyze the round-to-round progression. The percentage of improvement and variation in the swimmers’ performance was computed between rounds. A negative progression (entry times better than best performance) and a high variability (&gt; 0.69%) were found for most events. The finalists showed a positive progression with a greater improvement (~1%) from the heats to the semifinals. However, the performance progression remained unchanged between the semifinals and finals. The variability tended to decrease between rounds making each round more homogeneous. Coaches and swimmers can use these indicators to prepare a race strategy between rounds.

From Entry to Finals: Progression and Variability of Swimming Performance at the 2022 FINA World Championships.

The aim of the present study was two-fold: (i) to analyze the progression and variability of swimming performance (from entry times to best performances) in the 50, 100, and 200 m at the most recent FINA World Championships and (ii) to compare the performance of the Top16, semifinalists, and finalists between all rounds. Swimmers who qualified with the FINA A and B standards for the Budapest 2022 World Championships were considered. A total of 1102 individual performances swimmers were analyzed in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events. The data was retrieved from the official open-access websites of OMEGA and FINA. Wilcoxon test was used to compare swimmers' entry times and best performances. Repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test were performed to analyze the round-to-round progression. The percentage of improvement and variation in the swimmers' performance was computed between rounds. A negative progression (entry times better than best performance) and a high variability (> 0.69%) were found for most events. The finalists showed a positive progression with a greater improvement (~1%) from the heats to the semifinals. However, the performance progression remained unchanged between the semifinals and finals. The variability tended to decrease between rounds making each round more homogeneous. Coaches and swimmers can use these indicators to prepare a race strategy between rounds.

An Examination of Race Strategies in NCAA Cross Country Championship Events

This research sought to evaluate race strategies in Cross Country running to determine whether a fast, predicted, or slow start would yield the best results when coupled with an advancing or regressing strategy from the 1st checkpoint through to the finish. Twelve National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship races were analyzed from 2021 to 2022 (N=315 teams; 2,205 runners). Success was defined by each team's finish relative to their anticipated finish, as determined through pre-championship national rankings. Results indicated that starting well ahead of a predicted finishing place and advancing throughout the race can yield finishes well ahead of a team's ranking. Still, less than 5% of teams could employ that strategy. A more likely positive result came from a conservative start, coupled with consistently advancing through the field for the remainder of the race, as nearly 14% of teams could employ that strategy. Starting a race slowly did not typically lead to success, even if a team consistently advanced through the field after the 1st checkpoint. Teams that regressed throughout the race were not likely to have a successful race.

Tactical positioning behaviours in short-track speed skating: A static and dynamic sequence analysis

ABSTRACT Tactical positioning is essential for success in short-track speed skating as the race format (direct, head-to-head competition over multiple laps) prioritises finishing position over finishing time. Despite this, current research into tactical positioning treats the race’s laps as discrete, independent events. Accordingly, the aggregate metrics used to summarise each lap’s tactical positioning behaviour do not allow us to explore the sequential nature of the data, e.g., Lap 2 occurs after Lap 1 and before Lap 3. Here, we capture the sequential relationships between laps to investigate tactical positioning behaviours in short-track speed skating. Using intermediate and final rankings from 500 m, 1,000 m, and 1,500 m elite short-track races, we analyse whole-race and sub-race race sequences of group and winner tactical positioning behaviours. This approach, combined with a large dataset of races collected over eight seasons of competition ( = 4,135), provides the most rigorous and comprehensive description of tactical positioning behaviours in short-track speed skating to date. Our results quantify the time-evolving complexity of tactical positioning, offer new thoughts on race strategy, and can help practitioners design more representative learning tasks to enhance skill transfer.