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Moser, Thomas: How should the "ideal-coach" be? And how is the "real-coach" judged by the athletes? [Abstract]
Moser, Thomas: Cooperation between the sport psychologist and the Norwegian orienteering team: A brief report.
Mikan, V., John, O., & Mikan, J.: Biochemical parameters of orienteers competing in a long distance race. [Abstract]
Breckle, Siegmar-W: Influence of orienteering on fauna and flora: A review of the Swiss Oekogeo-study with comments.
Bibliography
An investigation of the menstrual status of the world's best female orienteers is presented. For comparison recreational runners were also studied.
Among world-class orienteers we found a significant correlation between menstrual irregularities and Quetelets index (bodyweight/height*height). No correlation between menstrual irregularities and training load could be found in either world-class orienteers or recreational runners. The significant higher incidence of menstrual irregularities found among world-class orienteers compared to recreational runners is therefore speculated to be a reflection of a certain lifestyle and/or body composition rather than an effect of training.
Earlier menstrual status seemed in our study to be an important predictor of the incidence of present menstrual irregularities. Earlier menstrual disorders experienced by 80% could be connected to abrupt increase in trainingload and/or weightloss by 62%.
A ranking-scale and an evaluation-scale containing 18 items were developed to get information related to some important aspects of the personality and behavior of a good coach. The 18 items are identical in both scales, only the question and the responseforms are different. 45 members of the Norwegian national team in orienteering and 11 coaches were first to rank the items regarding their importance to be a good coach. In addition only the athlete-group had to evaluate their individual coaches using the evaluation version of the scale. The results of the study show some interesting ranking-differencies between the subgroups (female, male, junior, senior, coaches) as well as significant diferences in the evaluation of the 5 national coaches.
Important biochemical parameters were measured in a group of orienteers 2 hours before start and immediatelly after the finish of the long distance race (orienteering marathon); course length was 30 km, climbing 1000 m.
The differences of each parameter were evaluated statistically by t-test. We found levels of dehydratation. We suggest a drinking regimen which is designed for orienteering races. We conclude that no runner having any kidney or liver abnormalities or changes in urine should be allowed to participate in such long distance competitions.
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