{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T20:03:41Z","timestamp":1780085021806,"version":"3.54.0"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"Human Kinetics","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p><jats:italic><jats:bold>Purpose<\/jats:bold>:<\/jats:italic> To analyze tactical behaviors associated with performance in track middle-distance global championship finals. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Methods<\/jats:bold>:<\/jats:italic> Finalists\u2019 season-best finishing race time, 100-m section times, and intermediate positions were obtained from 800-\u00a0and 1500-m men\u2019s and women\u2019s finals in 2 Olympic Games and 5 World Championships. Differences between medalists, fourth- to eighth-ranked (T8), and ninth- to 12th\/13th-ranked finalists in relative performance (relative to season-best), race time, and section times were determined. Pearson correlations between intermediate position and section speed with final position and probability of winning a medal at each race point were calculated. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Results<\/jats:bold>:<\/jats:italic> A very high correlation was found between intermediate and final position at the\u00a0first 100\u00a0m in the women\u2019s 800-m (<jats:italic>r<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u2009.84; <jats:italic>P<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u2009.008), which was maintained throughout the race. Medalists were relatively faster than T8 in men\u2019s and women\u2019s 800-m finals (<jats:italic>P<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u2009.006; <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u20090.87, and <jats:italic>P<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u2009.039; <jats:italic>d<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u20090.59, respectively). Differences in relative performance between groups in 1500-m finals appeared at the end of the race, although they arose earlier in women\u2019s races. The probability of winning a medal decreased with lower intermediate positions, especially in the latest race stages. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Conclusions<\/jats:bold>:<\/jats:italic> A high intermediate position, as well as the ability to run fast in the latest race stages, seems critical to medaling in track middle-distance global championship finals. The abilities to adopt leading positions for the whole 800-m event and to generate an end\u00a0spurt relatively faster than the rest of competitors in the 1500-m event are critical.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2024-0393","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,28]],"date-time":"2025-01-28T19:25:32Z","timestamp":1738092332000},"page":"438-448","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Tactical Behaviors in Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Middle-Distance Global Championship Track Finals"],"prefix":"10.1123","volume":"20","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-5456-6339","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Pablo","family":"Comino","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Sports Science Research Center, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-1406-9283","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Carl","family":"Foster","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin\u2013La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9039-8574","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Andrew","family":"Renfree","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7668-6844","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Arturo","family":"Casado","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sports Science Research Center, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"100","reference":[{"issue":"3","key":"r1","series-title":"Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-200838030-00004","article-title":"Describing and understanding pacing strategies during athletic competition","volume":"38","author":"Abbis CR","year":"2008","unstructured":"Abbis CR, Laursen, PB. Describing and understanding pacing strategies during athletic competition. Sports Med. 2008;38(3):239\u2013252. doi:10.2165\/00007256-200838030-00004"},{"issue":"4","key":"r2","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"335","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2022-0171","article-title":"Competition between desired competitive result, tolerable homeostatic disturbance, and psychophysiological interpretation determines pacing strategy","volume":"18","author":"Foster C","year":"2023","unstructured":"Foster C, de Koning JJ, Hettinga FJ, et\u00a0al. Competition between desired competitive result, tolerable homeostatic disturbance, and psychophysiological interpretation determines pacing strategy. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023;18(4):335\u2013346. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2022-0171"},{"key":"r3","series-title":"Front Physiol","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2017.00118","article-title":"The science of racing against opponents: affordance competition and the regulation of exercise intensity in head-to-head competition","volume":"8","author":"Hettinga FJ","year":"2017","unstructured":"Hettinga FJ, Konings MJ, Pepping, G. The science of racing against opponents: affordance competition and the regulation of exercise intensity in head-to-head competition. Front Physiol. 2017;8:118. doi:10.3389\/fphys.2017.00118"},{"issue":"2","key":"r4","series-title":"Kinesiology","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"280","DOI":"10.26582\/k.53.2.13","article-title":"The influence of running wide on the bend on finishing times and positions in men\u2019s 800\u00a0m finals at major global championships","volume":"53","author":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Moh\u00edno F","year":"2021","unstructured":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Moh\u00edno F, Casado A, Renfree A, Gonz\u00e1lez-Rav\u00e9 JM, Hanley B. The influence of running wide on the bend on finishing times and positions in men\u2019s 800\u00a0m finals at major global championships. Kinesiology. 2021;53(2):280\u2013287. doi:10.26582\/k.53.2.13"},{"issue":"2","key":"r5","series-title":"Br J Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.36.2.102","article-title":"Bioenergetic constraints on tactical decision making in middle distance running","volume":"36","author":"Jones AM","year":"2002","unstructured":"Jones AM, Whipp BJ. Bioenergetic constraints on tactical decision making in middle distance running. Br J Sports Med. 2002;36(2):102\u2013104. doi:10.1136\/bjsm.36.2.102"},{"issue":"2","key":"r6","series-title":"J Physiol","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.1971.sp009381","article-title":"The influence of wind resistance in running and walking and the mechanical efficiency of work against horizontal or vertical forces","volume":"213","author":"Pugh LH","year":"1971","unstructured":"Pugh LH. The influence of wind resistance in running and walking and the mechanical efficiency of work against horizontal or vertical forces. J Physiol. 1971;213(2):255\u2013276. doi:10.1113\/jphysiol.1971.sp009381"},{"issue":"8","key":"r7","series-title":"Eur J Sport Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1045","DOI":"10.1080\/17461391.2019.1593510","article-title":"Different psychophysiological responses to a high-intensity repetition session performed alone or in a group by elite middle-distance runners","volume":"19","author":"Casado A","year":"2019","unstructured":"Casado A, Moreno-P\u00e9rez D, Larrosa M, Renfree A. Different psychophysiological responses to a high-intensity repetition session performed alone or in a group by elite middle-distance runners. Eur J Sport Sci. 2019;19(8):1045\u20131052. doi:10.1080\/17461391.2019.1593510"},{"issue":"5","key":"r8","series-title":"J Sport Health Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"537","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2020.06.011","article-title":"Pacing profiles and tactical behaviors of elite runners","volume":"10","author":"Casado A","year":"2021","unstructured":"Casado A, Hanley B, Jimenez-Reyes P, Renfree A. Pacing profiles and tactical behaviors of elite runners. J Sport Health Sci. 2021;10(5):537\u2013549. doi:10.1016\/j.jshs.2020.06.011"},{"issue":"4","key":"r9","series-title":"J Sports Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"358","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2024.2330819","article-title":"Differences in pacing behaviour between global championship medal performances and world records in men\u2019s and women\u2019s middle- and long-distance running track events","volume":"42","author":"Casado A","year":"2024","unstructured":"Casado A, Ranieri LE, Hanley B, Foster C, Gonz\u00e1lez-Moh\u00edno F. Differences in pacing behaviour between global championship medal performances and world records in men\u2019s and women\u2019s middle- and long-distance running track events. J Sports Sci. 2024;42(4):358\u2013364. doi:10.1080\/02640414.2024.2330819"},{"key":"r10","series-title":"Eur J Hum Mov","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"146","DOI":"10.21134\/eurjhm.2020.44.526","article-title":"Individual performances relative to season bests in major track running championship races are distance-, position- and sex-dependent","volume":"44","author":"Casado A","year":"2020","unstructured":"Casado A, Renfree A, Maroto-S\u00e1nchez B, Hanley B. Individual performances relative to season bests in major track running championship races are distance-, position- and sex-dependent. Eur J Hum Mov. 2020;44:146\u2013161. doi:10.21134\/eurjhm.2020.44.526"},{"issue":"1","key":"r11","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"62","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2023-0289","article-title":"Evolution of 1,500-m Olympic running performance","volume":"19","author":"Foster C","year":"2023","unstructured":"Foster C, Hanley B, Barroso R, et\u00a0al. Evolution of 1,500-m Olympic running performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023;19(1):62\u201370. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2023-0289"},{"issue":"11","key":"r12","series-title":"J Sports Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1107","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2012.701759","article-title":"Pacing in Olympic track races: competitive tactics versus best performance strategy","volume":"30","author":"Thiel C","year":"2012","unstructured":"Thiel C, Foster C, Banzer W, de Koning JJ. Pacing in Olympic track races: competitive tactics versus best performance strategy. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(11):1107\u20131115. doi:10.1080\/02640414.2012.701759"},{"issue":"22","key":"r13","series-title":"J Sports Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2614","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2018.1472200","article-title":"Champions are racers, not pacers: an analysis of qualification patterns of Olympic and IAAF World Championship middle distance runners","volume":"36","author":"Hanley B","year":"2018","unstructured":"Hanley B, Hettinga FJ. Champions are racers, not pacers: an analysis of qualification patterns of Olympic and IAAF World Championship middle distance runners. J Sports Sci. 2018;36(22):2614\u20132620. doi:10.1080\/02640414.2018.1472200"},{"key":"r14","series-title":"Front Sports Act Living","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fspor.2019.00011","article-title":"The science behind competition and winning in athletics: using world-level competition data to explore pacing and tactics","volume":"1","author":"Hettinga FJ","year":"2019","unstructured":"Hettinga FJ, Edwards AM, Hanley B. The science behind competition and winning in athletics: using world-level competition data to explore pacing and tactics. Front Sports Act Living. 2019;1:11. doi:10.3389\/fspor.2019.00011"},{"issue":"7","key":"r15","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"894","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2018-0742","article-title":"Successful pacing profiles of Olympic and IAAF World Championship middle-distance runners across qualifying rounds and finals","volume":"14","author":"Hanley B","year":"2019","unstructured":"Hanley B, Stellingwerff T, Hettinga FJ. Successful pacing profiles of Olympic and IAAF World Championship middle-distance runners across qualifying rounds and finals. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2019;14(7):894\u2013901. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2018-0742"},{"issue":"2","key":"r16","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"362","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2013-0020","article-title":"Tactical considerations in the middle-distance running events at the 2012 Olympic Games: a case study","volume":"9","author":"Renfree A","year":"2014","unstructured":"Renfree A, Mytton GJ, Skorski S, St Clair Gibson A. Tactical considerations in the middle-distance running events at the 2012 Olympic Games: a case study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014;9(2):362\u2013364. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2013-0020"},{"issue":"10","key":"r17","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1386","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2018-0055","article-title":"Fortune favors the brave: tactical behaviors in the middle-distance running events at the 2017 IAAF world championships","volume":"13","author":"Casado A","year":"2018","unstructured":"Casado A, Renfree A. Fortune favors the brave: tactical behaviors in the middle-distance running events at the 2017 IAAF world championships. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018;13(10):1386\u20131391. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2018-0055"},{"issue":"71","key":"r18","series-title":"J Hum Kinet","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"299","DOI":"10.2478\/hukin-2019-0090","article-title":"The relationship between tactical positioning and the race outcome in 800-m running at the 2016 Olympic games and 2017 IAAF world championship","volume":"31","author":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Moh\u00edno F","year":"2020","unstructured":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Moh\u00edno F, Del Cerro JS, Renfree A, Yustres I, Gonz\u00e1lez-Rav\u00e9 JM. The relationship between tactical positioning and the race outcome in 800-m running at the 2016 Olympic games and 2017 IAAF world championship. J Hum Kinet. 2020;31(71):299\u2013305. doi:10.2478\/hukin-2019-0090"},{"issue":"9","key":"r19","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","first-page":"867","article-title":"\u201cFalling behind,\u201d \u201cletting go,\u201d and being \u201coutsprinted\u201d as distinct features of pacing in distance running","volume":"19","author":"Foster C","year":"2024","unstructured":"Foster C, Barroso R, Bok D, et\u00a0al. \u201cFalling behind,\u201d \u201cletting go,\u201d and being \u201coutsprinted\u201d as distinct features of pacing in distance running. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2024;19(9):867\u2013873."},{"key":"r20","series-title":"Results Book: Rio 2016","author":"Almeida A","year":"2016","unstructured":"Almeida A. Results Book: Rio 2016. Rio 2016 Organizing Committee; 2016."},{"key":"r21","series-title":"Time analysis for the IAAF World Championships London 2017","author":"Hanley B","year":"2017","unstructured":"Hanley B, Bissas A. Time analysis for the IAAF World Championships London 2017. Leeds Beckett University; 2017."},{"key":"r22","series-title":"Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences","author":"Cohen, J","year":"1988","unstructured":"Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9780203771587"},{"issue":"4","key":"r23","series-title":"Human Commun Res","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"612","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-2958.2002.tb00828.x","article-title":"Eta squared, partial eta squared, and misreporting of effect size in communication research","volume":"28","author":"Levine TR","year":"2002","unstructured":"Levine TR, Hullett CR. Eta squared, partial eta squared, and misreporting of effect size in communication research. Human Commun Res. 2002;28(4):612\u2013625. doi:10.1111\/j.1468-2958.2002.tb00828.x"},{"issue":"1","key":"r24","series-title":"Med Sci Sports Exerc","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e31818cb278","article-title":"Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science","volume":"41","author":"Hopkins WC","year":"2009","unstructured":"Hopkins WC, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(1):3\u201313. doi:10.1249\/MSS.0b013e31818cb278"},{"issue":"17","key":"r25","series-title":"J Sports Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1675","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2015.1132841","article-title":"Pacing, packing and sex-based differences in Olympic and IAAF world championship marathons","volume":"34","author":"Hanley B","year":"2016","unstructured":"Hanley B. Pacing, packing and sex-based differences in Olympic and IAAF world championship marathons. J Sports Sci. 2016;34(17):1675\u20131681. doi:10.1080\/02640414.2015.1132841"},{"issue":"3","key":"r26","series-title":"Med Sci Sports Exerc","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"607","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000000432","article-title":"Men are more likely than women to slow in the marathon","volume":"47","author":"Deaner RO","year":"2015","unstructured":"Deaner RO, Carter RE, Joyner MJ, Hunter SK. Men are more likely than women to slow in the marathon. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015;47(3):607\u2013616. doi:10.1249\/MSS.0000000000000432"},{"issue":"1","key":"r27","series-title":"Kinesiology","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"156","DOI":"10.26582\/k.56.1.13","article-title":"Pacing strategies in men\u2019s and women\u2019s world-record marathon performances and Olympic games and world championship\u2019s winning performances","volume":"56","author":"Casado A","year":"2024","unstructured":"Casado A, Ranieri LE, D\u00edaz JJ, Hanley B, Foster C. Pacing strategies in men\u2019s and women\u2019s world-record marathon performances and Olympic games and world championship\u2019s winning performances. Kinesiology. 2024;56(1):156\u2013162. doi:10.26582\/k.56.1.13"},{"issue":"4","key":"r28","series-title":"Med Sci Sports Exerc","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"648","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e31816212ff","article-title":"Sex differences in exercise metabolism and the role of 17-beta estradiol","volume":"40","author":"Tarnopolsky MA","year":"2008","unstructured":"Tarnopolsky MA. Sex differences in exercise metabolism and the role of 17-beta estradiol. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40(4):648\u2013654. doi:10.1249\/MSS.0b013e31816212ff"},{"issue":"4","key":"r29","series-title":"Acta Physiol","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"768","DOI":"10.1111\/apha.12234","article-title":"Sex differences in human fatigability: mechanisms and insight to physiological responses","volume":"210","author":"Hunter SK","year":"2014","unstructured":"Hunter SK. Sex differences in human fatigability: mechanisms and insight to physiological responses. Acta Physiol. 2014;210(4):768\u2013789. doi:10.1111\/apha.12234"},{"issue":"10","key":"r30","series-title":"Br J Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"775","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.2008.056036","article-title":"Exercising with reserve: exercise regulation by perceived exertion in relation to duration of exercise and knowledge of endpoint","volume":"43","author":"Swart J","year":"2009","unstructured":"Swart J, Lamberts RP, Lambert MI, et\u00a0al. Exercising with reserve: exercise regulation by perceived exertion in relation to duration of exercise and knowledge of endpoint. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(10):775\u2013781. doi:10.1136\/bjsm.2008.056036"},{"issue":"3","key":"r31","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"369","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2014-0207","article-title":"Increased variability of lap speeds: differentiating medallists and non-medallists in middle-distance running and swimming events","volume":"10","author":"Mytton GJ","year":"2015","unstructured":"Mytton GJ, Archer DT, Turner L, et\u00a0al. Increased variability of lap speeds: differentiating medallists and non-medallists in middle-distance running and swimming events. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2015;10(3):369\u2013373. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2014-0207"},{"issue":"4","key":"r32","series-title":"J Strength Cond Res","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1134","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000002873","article-title":"Pacing profiles of Olympic and IAAF World Championships long-distance runners","volume":"35","author":"Filipas L","year":"2021","unstructured":"Filipas L, La Torre A, Hanley B. Pacing profiles of Olympic and IAAF World Championships long-distance runners. J Strength Cond Res. 2021;35(4):1134\u20131140. doi:10.1519\/JSC.0000000000002873"},{"issue":"4","key":"r33","series-title":"Int J Sports Physiol Perform","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"715","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2013-0318","article-title":"Evolutionary pattern of improved 1-mile running performance","volume":"9","author":"Foster C","year":"2014","unstructured":"Foster C, de Koning JJ, Thiel C. Evolutionary pattern of improved 1-mile running performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014;9(4):715\u2013719. doi:10.1123\/ijspp.2013-0318"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/view\/journals\/ijspp\/20\/3\/article-p438.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/ijspp\/20\/3\/article-p438.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/ijspp\/20\/3\/article-p438.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,4]],"date-time":"2025-03-04T19:02:29Z","timestamp":1741114949000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/view\/journals\/ijspp\/20\/3\/article-p438.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]},"references-count":33,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3"},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1123\/ijspp.2024-0393","relation":{},"ISSN":["1555-0265","1555-0273"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1555-0265","type":"print"},{"value":"1555-0273","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]}}}