The influence of running wide on the bend on finishing times and positions in men's and women's 800 m finals at major global championships

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of running wide on bends regarding intermediate changes of position, dispersion of athletes, and speed relative to season best (SB) between medalists and non-medalists in men’s and women’s 800 m championship finals. Extra distance covered on bends was measured using official videos. The total distance run was calculated and described as the minimum calculable distance. Theoretical mean speeds, theoretical finishing times and theoretical finishing positions were calculated. In addition, intermediate and total changes of position (on bends and straights) and dispersion between athletes in each 100-m segment were calculated. Finishing times and segment times were calculated relative to SB. Theoretical finishing times were faster than official finishing times (p<.001). Finishing positions were influenced by extra distance covered. Medalists displayed a higher number of positive changes of intermediate positions than non-medalists (p<.001), occurring mainly on the straights (p=.003) and were greatest between 500 and 600 m (p=.003), without differences between groups in total extra distance and in extra distance covered on each bend. Medalists displayed higher total speeds relative to SB (p=.042) and over the 500-600 m segment onwards (p<.05), increasing the dispersion from this segment onwards (p<.001). These findings indicate that running the shortest distance on the bends and being able to accelerate during the last 300 m of the race positively influence finishing position in major championships 800 m finals

Commentaries on viewpoint : physiology and fast marathons

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Differences in pacing behaviour between global championship medal performances and world records in men’s and women’s middle- and long-distance running track events

The differences in pacing demands between track distance-running championship and meet (e.g., World Record [WR]) races have not been specified yet in the current literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine pacing behaviour differences between WRs and global championship (i.e., World Championships and Olympic Games) medal performances (GCMs) in middle- and long-distance running events. Percentages of mean race section speeds were compared through analysis of variance between men’s and women’s 169 WRs and 189 GCMs over 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m and 10,000m. U-shaped and negative pacing approaches are observed during men’s and women’s 1500m WRs and GCMs, respectively. The first and third 400 m of men’s and women’s 1500m GCMs were relatively slower and faster, respectively (p ≤ 0.05, 1.31 ≤ d ≤ 1.69). Even profiles are followed during women’s 3000m steeplechase WRs and GCMs, whereas positive approaches were adopted in men’s GCMs. Finally, whereas 5000m and 10,000m GCMs were finished with a fast endspurt, WRs had a U-shaped profile in men, with differences between the initial and last race stages (p ≤ 0.01, 1.20 ≤ d ≤ 3.66), and an even profile in women. Coaches should consider the different pacing demands existing among meet and global championship races to specifically implement training characteristics targeting either goal type