Development of discriminant model on the basis of physical and physiological variables of sprinters and middle distance runners

Abstract

Running is most famous sports in the world because of its variation. Running is important for all kinds of sports. There are many factors such as physical, physiological, anthropometric, biomechanical etc. effect running performance. The purpose of the study was to predict variables of Sprinters and Distance runner performance based on Physical and Physiological variables and to develop discriminant model to classify Sprinters and Distance runners on the basis of Physical and Physiological variables. Total 60 subjects (30 sprinters and 30 distance runners) of age group between 18-35 years are selected for the study. All are male subject who were at least participated at national or university level with good timing. Selected physical variables were height, weight, reaction time, speed, and explosive power of legs and physiological variables were VO2 max, Vital capacity, lean body mass, fat % and resting heart rate for the study. Weighing machine, stadiometer, ruler drop test, 50m race, standing broad jump were used to measure physical variables respectively. 12 min Copper test, dry spirometer, Bio-electrical impedance, and pulse count were used to measure physiological variables respectively. All scores were analyzed through the SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics was used to compare the data and descriptive analysis was used discriminate the two groups. Mean weight, speed and explosive power of legs of sprinters were significantly higher than the distance runners. VO2max and vital capacity of the distance runners were greater than the sprinters and average fat%. Resting heart rate of the distance runners were lower than the sprinters. The multiple discriminant model explained 93.6% model into function 1 for the two groups (sprinters and long-distance runners). All the ten variables were selected to develop discriminant model with the help of constant value which was 56.905.