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Bird, Steve, & Bingham, C.: A comparison of the effects of two types of orienteering kit (Lycra or loose fitting) upon selected physiological parameters during sustained running. [Abstract]
Jovignot, François: Can 5-6 year old children orientate themselves in a cave? [Abstract]
Omodei, Mary M., & McLennan, Jim: Studying complex decision making in natural settings: Using a head-mounted video camera to study competitive orienteering. [Abstract]
Kivistik, Arne: Kilometre times of winners of Estonian orienteering competitions 1991-1993.
Bibliography
In recent years many orienteers have opted to wear close fitting lycra bottoms in preference to the traditional nylon loose fitting kit. Whilst such a change could be attributed to fashion or comfort, it could also have an affect upon performance. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the possible influence of two types of orienteering kit upon selected physiological parameters during sustained running on a motorised treadmill. The factors under consideration were oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER), Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Heart Rate (HR), Capillary blood lactate concentration and time to exhaustion. Eight male subjects aged between 18 and 27 years completed the study. Following preliminary assessments, all subjects completed a total of 6 trial runs, using three different protocols representing three different exercise intensities. For each protocol one trial was completed wearing traditional nylon loose fitting orienteering bottoms (N) and the other completed in lycra tights (L). The three protocols used were (1) a 30 minute run at 70% Maximum Aerobic Capacity (2) a 30 minute run at 80 - 85% Maximum Aerobic Capacity, and (3) an incremental Maximum Aerobic Capacity test. The results indicated that under controlled laboratory conditions the two types of kit produced no clear differences in any of the parameters and hence were unlikely to affect performance. However since the laboratory environment did not fully simulate that of an orienteering event, further research is needed before this can be concluded with a greater degree of certainty.
We propose 3 experimental approaches to test the capacities of 5-6 year-old children in orientation with a map. The first 2 are essential preconditions in order to put the third to the test. We first submitted the children to an electronic maze test. This showed a very significant difference between the performance of the 5 year old children compared with the 6 year olds. We then trained them to read a series of simple maps ranging from their classroom to a playground. The children succeeded in using these maps, to find landmarks, but they were unable to orientate themselves with a more complex street map. Only the older children took part in an orienteering race, the results of which did not correlate with those of the maze test. Finally, we asked every child to use a map, in order to find their way back on a caving trip, previously prepared. It turned out that they were unable to do that, probably for some because the emotion triggered by this first speleological experience causes a regression of their cognitive capacities. For the others, we think that this task was too complex, we would have needed time and a fitting-in the situation in order to help them to be successful.
Head-mounted video recording is described as a potentially powerful method for studying decision making in natural settings: most alternative data-collection procedures are intrusive and disruptive of the decision-making processes involved while conventional video-recording procedures are either impractical or impossible. As a severe test of the robustness of the methodology we studied the decision making of 6 experienced orienteers who carried a head-mounted light-weight video camera as they navigated, running as fast as possible, around a set of control points in a forest. Use of the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test indicated that compared with free recall, video-assisted recall evoked (a) significantly greater experiential immersion in the recall, (b) significantly more specific recollections of navigation-related thoughts and feelings, (c) significantly more realizations of map and terrain features and aspects of running speed which were not noticed at the time of actual competition, and (d) significantly greater insight into specific navigational errors and the intrusion of distracting thoughts into the decision making process. Potential applications of the technique in (a) the environments of emergency services, (b) therapeutic contexts, (c) education and training, and (d) sports psychology are discussed.
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