Author(s): SATO, K., TANJI, F., SUGITA, M., Institution: TOKAI UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1817

INTRODUCTION:
In the 800 m running race, athletes positioned toward the front at intermediate points tend to achieve higher final positions (Renfree et al., 2014). Additionally, spatial positioning within the pack (e.g., distance from the leader and the curb) may influence final places. However, the optimal positioning strategy across race phases and age categories remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify, separately in senior and junior categories, the relationships between intermediate position and final position, and between spatial position and final position, in the 800 m race.
METHODS:
Athletes competing in the 800 m at major domestic Japanese championships were analysed. The sample comprised 96 athletes in the senior category and 200 in the junior category. Race videos were analysed using QuickTime Player and Kinovea software. Intermediate position and spatial position were determined at 100 m intervals from the 200 m to the 700 m points. Spatial position within the pack was quantified as (1) distance behind the leading runner and (2) distance from the curb. Distance behind the leader was calculated by multiplying time differences between the leader and each athlete by the mean running speed over the corresponding 100 m segment. Distance from the curb was estimated based on half- lane (0.61 m) increments from the inside curb. Relationships between intermediate position, spatial position, and final position were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients.
RESULTS:
Significant positive correlations were observed in both categories between intermediate position and final position, and between spatial position and final position at all measured points (p < 0.05). In the senior category, correlation coefficients between intermediate position and final position were r = 0.33, 0.35, 0.34, 0.41, 0.69, and 0.73 at the points from the 200 m to the 700 m respectively. At same points, correlations between spatial position and final position were r = 0.32, 0.30, 0.30, 0.36, 0.55, and 0.70, respectively. In contrast, in the junior category, correlation coefficients between intermediate position and final position were r = 0.32, 0.28, 0.33, 0.40, 0.62, and 0.76 across the same measurement points. Correlations between spatial position and final position were r = 0.23, 0.27, 0.35, 0.41, 0.54, and 0.69, respectively.
CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest the need for category-specific positioning strategies. In senior athletes, early front-pack positioning appears less critical, whereas securing a forward position by the 600 m point is strongly associated with the final outcome. In junior athletes, progressive advancement toward the front throughout the race may be more important. These results provide practical implications for coaching strategies in 800 m racing.
Reference: Renfree A et al. (2014) Int J Sports Physiol Perform., 9: 362-364.