student number: 9305872K M.Sc (Med) Dissertation - School of Physiology / Most performance assessments on athletes involve an excessive amount of testing procedures. The efficacy of these tests is not always apparent, and their application is not always practical. Elite male middle-distance runners (n=20) were used to assess the physiological determinants of 800 meter running performance. We used testing methods recommended by the South African Sports Commission, which included body composition, joint flexibility, muscular strength, -power and -endurance, as well as a Wingate test (anaerobic capacity) and an isokinetic evaluation. An assessment of maximal running speed and acceleration at distances up to 300 meters was conducted on a standard tartan track. In addition, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), running economy, onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) were determined. Measured values were correlated with competitive performance times using the Pearson product-moment correlation technique, with the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Wingate mean- and minimum power, as well as running times at 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 150 and 300 meters were found to be significantly correlated to performance (r2>0.4; p<0.01). A multiple correlation comparison was used to determine a significant difference between correlations with performance time for the different variables. A stepwise multiple regression determined that 300 meter time-trial time was the strongest predictor of performance, accounting for 79% of the variability in performance, which was a better predictor of performance than a prediction model. The following formula was derived to estimate 800 meter performance from 300 meter time-trial time: 800m time = 37.1062 + 2.17(300m time) [time in seconds] The tests most able to predict 800 meter running performance were sport-specific track tests of high-speed running ability and tests of anaerobic capacity (especially the Wingate cycle ergometer test).

This study utilized an experimental design testing low, medium, and high intensity warm-up protocols for NCAA Division I 800-meter male and female middle distance runners to determine which result in optimal outcomes in a peak performance, i.e., 800-meter time trial. Mississippi State University student athletes on the Track and Field Team who compete in middle distance running events participated. Among males, results of the repeated measures ANOVA found no significant difference among the three warm-up protocols for the first 400 meters completed. For females, repeated measures ANOVA results found no significant difference among the protocols for the first 200 meters completed. However, at the completion of the 800-meter time trial, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen among both males and females; post hoc analyses indicated that the high intensity warm-up group had a statistically significantly lower (i.e., better) total time than the low intensity warm-up group.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-06-17T20:33:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 joaopaulonogueiradarochasantos.pdf: 1586152 bytes, checksum: 0e5ee5c88539d1963c393a09d9431bea (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-13T14:40:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 joaopaulonogueiradarochasantos.pdf: 1586152 bytes, checksum: 0e5ee5c88539d1963c393a09d9431bea (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-13T14:40:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 joaopaulonogueiradarochasantos.pdf: 1586152 bytes, checksum: 0e5ee5c88539d1963c393a09d9431bea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-14 / A alteração de velocidade durante as provas de meio-fundo e fundo é conhecida como Estratégia de Ritmo (ER). No atletismo, as provas olímpicas (de adultos) têm a ER definidas. Na categoria mirim de atletismo (13 a 15 anos), pouco se sabe sobre a ER dos 1000 metros que é a distância máxima permitida na categoria pela Confederação Brasileira de Atletismo (CBAt). O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar a ER utilizada por atletas mirins de atletismo na prova de 1000 m. A amostra foi composta por 82 atletas (41meninos e 41meninas) que concluíram a prova de 1000 m do Campeonato Brasileiro de Mirins de 2014, com média de idade de 14,33 ± 0,72 anos. Foi feita a filmagem da prova para cronometragem das parciais de 100 m. foram analisadas as variáveis velocidade e velocidade percentual em relação à velocidade máxima alcançada na prova (%Vmáx), os grupos foram divididos em sexo, idade, e desempenho na prova. Na análise dos dados gerais ficou evidente a estratégia parabólica “J Invertido”. Na análise por sexo, houve diferença significativa entre a velocidade de corrida, mas não houve no %Vmáx, indicando que não há diferença na estratégia de ritmo de meninas e meninos. Na análise por idade, a amostra foi dividida em dois grupos (13-14 anos e 15 anos), no sexo feminino não houve diferença significativa entre velocidade e %Vmáx nos dois grupos de idade, indicando que a ER foi semelhante entre as idades. No masculino, houve diferença significativamente maior no grupo dos meninos mais velhos tanto para velocidade quanto para o %Vmáx. Na comparação entre grupo de desempenho os atletas foram divididos em 3 grupos (≤14° lugar vs. 14°-28° lugar vs. >28° lugar), houve diferença significativamente maior do grupo dos melhores atletas em relação aos demais grupos tanto para velocidade quanto para %Vmáx, indicando que houve diferença na ER. Conclui-se que os atletas mirins adotam a estratégia Parabólica “J Invertido”. Há uma saída rápida nos 200 m iniciais da prova, uma fase de queda na velocidade até os 800 m, seguida da aceleração final. A queda da %Vmáx é maior nas meninas, nos meninos mais novos e nos atletas de menor desempenho. / The change of speed during the middle-distance and long-distance races is known as Pacing Strategy. In athletics, the Olympic track competitions have the PS defined, but in the adolescents athletes (13-15 years), there is a few knowledgement about the the PS of 1000 meters, which is the maximum distance allowed in the category by the Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt) for this age. The aim of the study was to characterize the ER used by adolescents athletes in 1000 meters race. The sample was composed of 82 athletes (41 male and 41 female) who completed the race 1000 m of the Brazilian Championship 2014, with a mean age of 14.33 ± 0.72 years. The filming race was done to data analysis in 100 m sections. ".It was analyzed the following variables, averege speed for each section, and percentual speed related with the most speed through the 1000m running, for each section also (%Vmáx). The sample was divided into 3 groups, sex, age, and running performance. In the general data analysis was notorious the parabolic shaped strategy "inverted J. In the analysis by sex, there was a significant difference between running speed but not in Vmax%, indicating no difference in pacing strategy for female and male athletes. The analysis by age, were divided into two groups (13-14 years and 15 years), among female athletes there was no significant difference between speed and Vmax% in both age groups, indicating that the ER was similar in ages. In male athletes, there was a significant difference in the speed as much as %Vmáx between the two groups, indicating that the ER is different for both groups. The athletes were divided into 3 performance groups (≤14° place vs. 14th -28th place vs.> 28th place), matching the performance groups data, there was a higher significant difference for both speed and the Vmax% in the group 1, indicating that there were differences in ER. In conclusion, adolescents athletes (13-15 years) adopt parabolic shaped Strategy "inverted J". There is a fast start in the initial 200 meters of the race, a decrease of speed until 800 m, then the final acceleration. The %VMáx decrease phase is greater in girls, younger boys and lower performance athletes.

This thesis is concerned with mathematical modelling and optimal control of constrained systems. Each of the systems under consideration is a system that can be controlled by one of the variables, and this control is subject to constraints. First, we consider middle-distance running where a runner's horizontal propulsive force is the control which is constrained to be within a given range. Middle-distance running is typically a strategy-intensive race as slipstreaming effects come into play since speeds are still relatively fast and runners can leave their starting lane. We formulate a two-runner coupled model and determine optimal strategies using optimal control theory. Second, we consider two applications of control systems with delay related to R&D expenditure. The first of these applications relates to the defence industry. The second relates to the pharmaceutical industry. Both applications are characterised by a long delay between initial investment in R&D and seeing the benefits of R&D realised. We formulate models tailored to each application and use optimal control theory to determine the optimal proportion of available funds to invest in R&D over a given time horizon. Third, we consider a mathematical model of urban burglary based on the Short model. We make some modifications to this model including the addition of deterrence due to police officer presence. Police officer density is the control variable, which is constrained due to a finite number of police officers. We look at different control strategies for the police and their effect on burglary hot-spot formation.

There are few scientific studies, that research the problems of the high skills in the average distance runners training in Lithuania. M. Norbutas is a Lithuanian record - breaker in 800m distance running. And he was the first Lithuanian, who entered a contest in World Championship and the Olympic Games. M. Norbutas annual training cycle in the run – up to the World Championship in San Denis (the season of years 2002 – 2003) are analyzed in herein work. Also the training technique, the strain alternation in the annual training cycle and the dynamics of the contest score in the Athens Olympics (the season of years 2003 – 2004) are analyzed. And similarly, the best world runners of the average distance: the world record – breaker in 1500m distance running, the champion of Athens Olympics in 1500m and 5000m distance, the Maroccan H. El. Geurroj (preparation for the World Championship in 1997), the champion of Athens Olympics in 800m distance, the Russian Y. Borzakovskiy (preparation for the World Championship in closed accommodation in 2001), the Olympic champion of 1500m distance running in Barcelona and the European record – breaker, the Spaniard F. Cacho (preparation for the World Championship in Barcelona in 1992). The training techniques and the structure of micro cycles of those sportsmen are compared to the techniques of M. Norbutas. The physical development, the physical qualification, the functional alternation of a fitness rate in the run – up to the Olympic Games in... [to full text]

Développer la capacité de régulation de l'allure est un enjeu important en Education Physique et Sportive (EPS), notamment dans un objectif d'autonomie et de santé. Peu d'études s'attachent pourtant à proposer des méthodes pour y parvenir. Les différentes travaux de cette thèse ont pour objectifs de mieux comprendre les fondements des capacités de régulation émotionnelle et de l'allure, de proposer une méthode visant à leur acquisition et un outil d'estimation du niveau de motivation. En plus de la perception de l'effort (RPE) et du plaisir (P), nous avons testé l'évolution de l'envie de continuer (EDC) et d'arrêter l'exercice (EDA) dans différentes conditions expérimentales lors de courses intermittentes de 3 à 15 minutes autorégulées et semi-contrôlées chez des étudiants et des lycéens. Une performance maximale était demandée pour chaque test. Les résultats de nos études montrent que l'utilisation de ces paramètres présente un intérêt en EPS. Les élèves font varier leur réserve émotionnelle d'un niveau élevé vers un niveau faible du début à la fin des différentes courses mais conservent un niveau de réserve trop important pour la réalisation d'une performance maximale car ils privilégient le but de maîtrise prioritairement au but de performance. De façon illogique, les élèves s'investissent plus pour les durées de courses élevées du fait d'une discordance entre la représentation des capacités et celle de la tâche. De ce fait, un travail visant à optimiser le niveau d'investissement est à privilégier chez les élèves en EPS. Ainsi, le fait d'imposer une perception de l'effort durant les courses semi-contrôlées au moins égale au niveau moyen consenti lors des tests autorégulés de durées équivalentes suffit pour améliorer la performance (+14,2% et + 14,5% pour les courses de 3 et 6 minutes respectivement). La consigne consistant à imposer une RPE minimale correspondant à 120% de la RPE moyenne observée lors des courses autorégulées semble être le compromis idéal durant des courses intermittentes de 3 et 6 minutes (+ 18,4% et 18,5% pour les courses de 3 et 6 minutes respectivement). Ces améliorations obtenues en une seule séance sont bien supérieures à celles espérées durant un cycle entier d'EPS consacré au développement des ressources physiologiques. La détermination du rapport entre l'envie de continuer et le niveau de perception de l'effort constitue une bonne estimation du niveau de motivation à poursuivre l'exercice fatiguant. / Pacing strategy is of great importance for physical education, especially for health and autonomy. Rather, few studies have attempted to propose metbods to develop this capacity . The aims of this thesis were to better understand pacing strategy and emotional regulation, to develop novel methods to improve it and to estimatc the level of motivation. Rating of perceived exertion (R.PE), but also pleasure, the desire to stop and the desire to continue the exercise were used in different self-paced and semi-controlled 3 to 15 min runs. Secondary students bave to reach maximal performance for each test. Results showed that the use of these novel emotional parameters was of importance in physical educarion. The strategy which correspond to the evolution of emotional reserve between high to low level with time have been used by school participants even if emotional reserve is still conserve at the end of exercise in all conditions. Wbat is surprising is that the investment is more important for long than during short duration exercises. Optimal strategics for short runs have been developed in school participants. Performance was improved when a minimal RPE was imposed (+14.2% and + 14,5% for 3 and 6 minute runs: RPE ≥ average value of the self-paccd run). 120% of the average RPE of the self-pace run seems to be the optimal during 3 and 6 min runs (+18,4% and 18,5% for 3 and 6 min runs). These improvements, obtained after only 1 session, are more important than what could be hoped when training consists in developing physiological adaptations. The determination of the ratio between the desire 10 continue and R PF. seems to be a good estimation of the level of intensity during exercise