Klinische Sportmedizin

Abstract

Introduction: It is to be expected that orienteering at night is more difficult due to light restriction for map-reading. This study aims to analyze the differences in speed at night versus daytime.Methods: The last three night Swiss Orienteering Championships were analyzed concerning average speed (performance per km as divisor of course time and the sum of horizontal distance in km and differences in altitude per 100m) and compared with day courses.Results: In night as well as in day competitions a U-shaped age/speed relation could be detected in men with a minimum at 24.9 years respectively 6.2min in day versus 26.9 years respectively 5.4min in night (Night R2=0.3564 / day R2=0.1437). The same pattern can be detected in women with 17.9 years respectively 8.3min in day versus 23.2 years respectively 7.3min in night competitions. (Night R2=0.0533/day R2=0.1909).Discussion: The results are probably a consequence of a positive selection bias that only well-trained competitors start in night orienteering, which is in principle in accordance with higher map reading skills in night versus day courses. Furthermore, this pattern can be detected when analyzing competitive categories but less when analyzing runners from recreational categories and might correlate with the aspect of specific preparation for national competitions.SCHLSSELWRTER: Orienteering, Night-Orienteering, Speed per Performance Km, Speed