Tactical behaviour of winning athletes in major championship 1500‐m and 5000‐m track finals

Abstract

This article analyses the tactics employed by middle-distance (1500-m) and long-distance (5000-m) runners from an observational methodology perspective. The subject of investigation has received little attention from specialists in the field of athletics, with most research focusing on physiological studies of athlete performance. Using an ad hoc observation tool and a database containing systematically recorded data we detected time patterns (T-patterns) within the data recorded using the Theme software program (version 5.0), and analysed the tactics employed by winners of the men's 1500-m and 5000-m finals of the World Championships in Athletics [Edmonton 2001, Paris 2003, Helsinki 2005 (1500-m final only), Osaka 2007 (1500-m final only), Berlin 2009 and Daegu 2011], the European Athletics Championships (Munich 2002, Göteborg 2006, and Barcelona 2010) and the Olympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012). T-pattern detection and investigation of the relationship between category systems corresponding to the criteria comprising the observation tool revealed both similarities (starting lane and lane used during race, runner's position during race and sprint zone and lane) and differences (variations in pace, zones in which changes of pace occur, sprint initiation zone and winner's position at the start of the sprint) between the two disciplines.

Pacing Behavior and Tactical Positioning in 1500-m Short-Track Speed Skating

“…In the 1500 m and 5000 m running event at major championships, running at one of the qualifying positions after 400 m was related to successful performance, although more changes in position were apparent compared to the 800 m distance. 20,23 This could be related to the lower velocities and the consequential lower air frictional losses and lower benefits of drafting during running compared to short-track speed skating competitions. 24,25 Moreover, it seems that short-track speed skaters and cyclists are relatively more affected by interaction with their competitors in order to achieve their goal (i.e.…”

“…Moreover, also during 1500 m running and 400 m swimming competitions, the importance of the final stages of the race was indicated as the final lap time differentiated between medallists and non-medallists. 19,20 Finally, also in long distance sports involving a direct form of competition the ability to finish fast seems to be related to performance. Successful female marathon runners were able to maintain their pace until the end of the race, while sub-elite marathon runners slowed down significantly.…”

“…after about 1000 m. In 800 m running Olympic qualification races, it was already important to be in a qualifying position halfway through the race 20,23 . In the 1500 m and 5000 m running event at major championships, running at one of the qualifying positions after 400 m was related to successful performance, although more changes in position were apparent compared to the 800 m distance.…”

Research on Students' Performance in Higher Education through Sequence Analysis

“…T-patterns detection studies have been conducted in very different scientific domains and also in the field of sport (Aragón, Lapresa, Arana, Anguera and Garzón, 2015;Borrie, Jonsson and Magnusson, 2002;Chaverri, Camerino, Anguera, Blanco-Villaseñor and Losada, 2010;Gutiérrez-Santiago, Prieto, LaCOSA II, Lausanne, June 8-10, 2016 Camerino and Anguera, 2013;Lapresa, Alsasua, Arana and Garzón, 2013;Lapresa, Álvarez, Arana, Garzón and Caballero, 2013;Tarragó et al, 2015;Zurloni, Cavalera, Diana, Elia and Jonsson, 2014).…”

Planning of physical load of annual cycle of students’, practicing cyclic kinds of sports, training

“…Such plan facilitates motivation for trainings [14]; regulator of functional training [15]; current, intermediate and final control of physical fitness [2,27].…”