Performance profiles and training loads of optimist sailors

Date
2020-02-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Despite a growth in competitive sailing, there remains a lack of research available supporting performance analysis and athlete monitoring in sailing. To understand more about the Optimist sailing class, fundamental research into competitive sailing racing and training is needed. Therefore, the overarching aims of this dissertation were to i) determine race performance indicators of high-level Optimist sailing races and ii) to quantify the training loads within different wind intensities of competitive South African Optimist sailors. A secondary aim was to develop an Optimist race performance profile from the IODA Optimist World Championships. Methods: The dissertation was structured in three parts; part 1 involves a scoping review, which identifies the gaps within the current literature, part 2 establishes race performance indicators and uses these to develop performance profiles of high-level Optimist races, while part 3 is considers the training stress imposed on Optimist sailors during training sessions in different wind intensities. Part 2 followed a retrospective descriptive study design, 28 performance indicators were identified through statistical analyses and sailing coaches input. These were used to build a performance profile of 150 Optimist races from the IODA Optimist World Championships (2014-2018). Performance profiles were developed for the qualifying series and each fleet within the final series. Part 3 was an observational study which monitored 12 high-level competitive South African Optimist sailors during 21 on-water sailing training sessions in varying wind intensities (light, medium and strong). The training loads during the training sessions were monitored using heart rate measures, to determine TRIMP (Training Impulse) and the SHRZ (Summated-Heart-Rate-Zone) score, as well as the session-rating of perceived exertion method. A relationship between these measures and energy expenditure was also determined. Results: Results in part 2 showed almost perfect relationships between positions at each mark and the final race outcome for all series (rho=0.93-0.98, p<0.01). A regression analysis coupled with input from coaches determined time difference from race leader at all marks and the finish, as well as difference in velocity made good from race winner in leg 1 for qualifications and finals as the most important performance indicator predictors. The five variables were inversely associated with less or more time leading to a higher or lower rank for final race outcome. For part 3, session-RPE was higher in strong vs. light wind intensities (p=0.02). The TRIMP scores related to energy expenditure during all wind intensities (rho=0.35-0.82). The SHRZ method showed highest total training time in zone 2 (31%; aerobic system) and zone 3 (26%; anaerobic glycolysis system). Conclusion: Coaches can use the race performance indicators and performance profiles to compare race performances and subsequently give more specific feedback to the sailors. Wind intensity applies an external stimulus to the sailor, thereby contributing to internal load on the sailor. Therefore, using the TRIMP measure for internal load is recommended. This dissertation provides a greater understanding of the race performance indicators and training loads of high-level competitive Optimist sailors. The methods identified and utilised in these investigations may prove useful to sailing coaches when analysing their Optimist sailors’ performance during competition and training.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding:Ten spyte van 'n groei in mededingende seiljagvaart, is daar nog steeds 'n gebrek aan navorsing beskikbaar om prestasie-analise en atleet-monitering van seiljagvaart te ondersteun. Om meer te verstaan in die Optimist seiljagvaart-klas is fundamentele navorsing oor mededingende seiljagresies en –oefeningsessies nodig. Daarom was die oorkoepelende doelstellings van hierdie proefskrif i) om die prestasie-aanduiders van hoe-vlak Optimist seiljagresies te bepaal en ii) om die oefeningslading van verskillende windintensiteite van mededingende Suid-Afrikaanse Optimist seiljagvaarders te kwantifiseer. 'n Sekondêre doelwit was om 'n Optimist-resiesprestasieprofiel van die IODA Optimist Wereldkampioenskappe te ontwikkel. Metodes: Die proefskrif is in drie dele gestruktureer; deel 1 behels 'n omvangbepaling, wat die leemtes in die literatuur tans identifiseer, deel 2 stel resiesprestasie-aanduiders vas en gebruik dit om prestasieprofiele van hoë-vlak Optimist-resies te ontwikkel, terwyl deel 3 kyk na die oefeningspanning wat opgele word op Optimistseiljagvaarders tydens oefensessies in verskillende windintensiteite. Deel 2 volg op 'n terugwerkende beskrywende studieontwerp, en het 28 prestasie-aanduiders geidentifiseer deur statistiese ontledings en seiljagvaar-afrigters se insette. Hierdie aanduiders was gebruik om 'n prestasieprofiel van 150 Optimist-resies uit die IODA Optimist Wêreldkampioenskappe (2014-2018) op te stel. Prestasieprofiele was ontwikkel vir die kwalifiserende reeks en elke vloot binne die finale reeks. Deel 3 was 'n waarnemingsstudie wat 12 hoe-vlak Suid-Afrikaanse Optimistseiljagvaarders gemonitor het tydens 21 oefensessies op die water in verskillende windintensiteite (lig, medium en sterk). Die oefeningslading gedurende die oefensessies was met behulp van hartslagmetings gemonitor om die TRIMP (‘Training Impulse’) en die SHRZ (‘Summated-Heart-Rate-Zone’) telling te bepaal, asook die sessie-beoordeling van die waargenome inspanningsmetode. Daar is ook 'n verband tussen hierdie maatstawwe en energie-uitgawes bepaal. Resultate: Resultate in deel 2 het byna perfekte verwantskappe getoon tussen die posisies by elke punt en die finale uitslag van die resies vir alle reekse (rho= 0.93-0.98, p <0.01). 'n Regressie-analise, tesame met die insette van afrigters, het die tydsverskil bepaal tussen resiesleier by alle punte en die eindpunt, sowel as die verskil in snelheid goed gemaak van die resieswenner in been 1 van die kwalifikasies en eindstryde as die belangrikste voorspellers van prestasie-aanwysers. Die vyf veranderlikes is omgekeerd geassosieer met minder of meer tyd wat lei tot 'n hoer of laer rang vir finale uitslag. Vir deel 3, was sessie RPE hoer in sterk teenoor ligte windintensiteite (p=0.02). Die TRIMP-tellings hou verband met die energie-uitgawes tydens alle windintensiteite (rho=0.35-0.82). Die SHRZ-metode getoon het dat die hoogste totale oefentyd in sone 2 (31%; aerobiese stelsel) en sone 3 (26%; anaerobiese glikolise-stelsel) spandeer het. Afsluiting: Afrigters kan die aanduiders vir resiesprestasies en prestasieprofiele gebruik om resiesprestasies te vergelyk en dan meer spesifieke terugvoering aan die seiljagvaarders te gee. Windintensiteit pas 'n eksterne stimulus op die seiljagvaarder toe, wat daartoe bydra dat interne lading op die seiljagvaarders geplaas word. Daarom word dit aanbeveel dat die TRIMP-maatstaf vir interne lading gebruik word. Hierdie proefskrif bied 'n groter begrip van die prestasie-aanduiders en oefenings ladings van hoe-vlak Optimist-seiljagvaarders. Die metodes wat in hierdie ondersoeke geidentifiseer en gebruik was, mag dalk nuttig wees vir seiljag afrigters wanneer hulle hul Optimist-seiljagvaarders se prestasie tydens kompetisie en oefeningsessies ontleed.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Sailors -- Physical training, Sailing, Sailors -- Performance, Sailboat racing -- Physiological aspects, Yacht training, Simulated training devices, UCTD
Citation