Back to
Sci.J.O. Home Page
Kaill, Bob, & Ottosson, Torgny: Subjective beliefs on sudden deaths in orienteering: Training when sick. [Abstract]
Hogg, David: The social and lifestyle characteristics of Australian orienteers. [Abstract]
Myrvold, Bernt O.: Is it possible to find a "best" route? A look at accuracy and significance in route choice comparison. [Abstract]
Bibliography
Congress information
In response to a series of sudden deaths among young elite orienteers in Sweden (1979-92) and the related actions taken by the Swedish Orienteering Federation (SOFT), a longitudinal questionnaire study was carried out. In a series of four questionnaires over a 2-year period, a stratified sample of 406 orienteers were asked a large number of questions concerning their training, SOFT's recommendations, their discussions (concerning the above deaths), and their attitudes about orienteering in general, as well as many other questions. The present article focuses primarily on what the orienteers in the study believe to have been the causes for the deaths and some possible effects that the deaths in conjunction with SOFT's decisions may have had on training. Most orienteers believe that training when ill was a major factor in the sudden deaths, but many orienteers still train and/or compete when not completely well.
A survey of the characteristics of Australian orienteers was undertaken through a questionnaire sent to all members of the Orienteering Federation of Australia, with a national response rate of 32%. The results indicate that Australian orienteers are generally well educated with well paid professional jobs, have a high commitment to a healthy lifestyle and are interested in active outdoor lifestyles. The spread of orienteering occurs largely through personal contact of family members or friends. In most respects, Australian orienteers tend to be similar to those in Sweden.
With modern technology the accurate timing of the runners between controls is easy. This gives us plenty of accurate data for the route choices taken by different runners. Nevertheless, this does not necessarily lead to better comparison of route choices taken by different runners. In this work we investigate, from a statistical point of view, what conclusions that can be drawn about the best route choice when different runners run different routes. This is the situation we have in any post-race route choice analysis. Any single best route can normally not be identified. If a statistically significant single best route can be found the leg will not be seen as a route choice leg by the runners. In a good route choice leg the best route will depend on the individual runners strengths and weaknesses.
Previous Issue Back to
Sci.J.O. Home Page