A mathematical model to optimize the training of professional athletes

A team of French and British scientists has published a study with a mathematical model that promises to optimize the training of professional 400 meter and 1,500 meter athletes.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Livingis supported by data from athletes’ performances Matthew Hudson-Smith, Femke Bol and Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the European Championship in Munich 2022 and Gaia Sabbatini at the U20 European Championship in Tallinn 2021.

“We want to understand what happens on a physiological level in a 400 m, which is a test of speed, and a 1,500 m, which is the first endurance race,” he told AFP. Amandine Aftalionco-author of the study.

The purpose of the work is to gain a deeper understanding of mechanical and physiological factors affecting running speed using high resolution data from live competitions.

Thanks to a new technology of GPS receivers fixed under the athletes’ jerseys, the researchers were able to record the precise speed of each athlete, with their position indicated ten times per second.

These data are integrated into equations to calculate physiological variables such as waste of energy during exercise, the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max), the economy career and motor controlthat is, the role of the brain in movement processes that influence reaction time.

“Thanks to the quantification of costs and benefits, the model provides immediate access to best strategy to make the corridor work efficiently,” said a statement from the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS, for its French acronym).

The study highlights the importance of a quick release in the first 50 meters for reasons related to the rate of oxygen consumption.

“We show that a fast start is important in the 400m and, although it requires an inevitable deceleration throughout the race, it is the best strategy,” said the study, which also recommends coaches “Consider- considering that the nature of the entire 400m speed requires prioritizing the development of the anaerobic energy system.

Regarding the distance of 1500 m, he concluded that “the ability to maintain a high VO2 throughout the race allows athletes to have a high cruising speed, which requires a large contribution of energy from anaerobic resources and does not allow a strong acceleration during the final sprint. . We also observed that better performances are achieved at 1,500 m with more fractional use of high VO2.”

The simulations specifically explain the performance of the middle distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen for its ability to quickly reach peak oxygen consumption and maintain it throughout the race. A strange thing that allows the Olympic champion to “run faster than his competitors throughout the race, even if we see that he starts with a little more energy,” describes Amandine Aftalion.

The model can lead to a supporting software in performance allowing coaches to perfect race strategy related to each runner’s physiological profile.