1. Classification of Male Athletes Based on Critical Power.
- Author
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Olaya-Cuartero, Javier, Pueo, Basilio, Penichet-Tomas, Alfonso, and Jimenez-Olmedo, Jose M.
- Subjects
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BIOMECHANICS , *CLUSTER analysis (Statistics) , *BODY mass index , *RUNNING , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *PHYSICAL training & conditioning , *PHYSICAL fitness , *EXERCISE tests , *ANTHROPOMETRY , *ATHLETIC ability , *REGRESSION analysis - Abstract
This study aimed to classify male athletes based on their performance levels derived from running critical power (CP) using the 9/3-minute Stryd CP test, enabling customized training strategies and goal setting. Twenty-four trained athletes underwent the 9/3-minute running CP test on a certified 400-m athletics track. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method categorized athletes based on CP into distinct performance tiers. Three clusters were identified with centroids of 3.87±0.12, 4.45±0.17, and 5.14±0.29 W/kg. Five performance tiers were defined through ordinary least square linear regression based on power (W/kg): Tier 1: Fair (2.9 to 3.6 W/kg), Tier 2: Tourist (3.6 to 4.2 W/kg), Tier 3: Regional (4.2 to 4.8 W/kg), Tier 4: National (4.8 to 5.5 W/kg), Tier 5: International (5.5 to 6.1 W/kg). Low semi-partial R-squared (Sp R2) values (0.02 to 0.05) indicated minimal homogeneity loss when merging clusters. R-squared (R2) explained 89% to 96% of CP variance, emphasizing cluster analysis effectiveness. The linear regression model demonstrated a strong fit (r2 +=+0.997) with a significant intercept (3.22 W/kg), slope (0.63 W/kg/tier), and a low standard error of estimate (0.045 W/kg). This classification offers insights into male athlete performance levels based on CP, facilitating targeted training programs for varying performance levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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