Differences between the sexes and age-related changes in orienteering speed

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Human Performance

Background:

• Orienteering is a physically and cognitively demanding endurance sport.
• Understanding age and sex effects on performance is crucial for athlete development and training.
• Previous research on endurance running shows age-related performance decrements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of competitor age and sex on orienteering speed.
• To compare age-related speed decline in orienteering with other endurance running events.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of top male and female orienteer data across 5-year age bands (21-79 years) from national events.
• Log-transformation of age and speed data, followed by regression analysis.
• Comparison with World Masters Championships data for 10,000m track and 10km cross-country runners (40-69 years).

Main Results:

• Before age 40, males showed minimal speed loss (0.5-4.2%/decade), while females had a moderate decline (4.7-10.0%/decade).
• After age 45, both sexes experienced significant slowing: males 13±2%/decade, females 16±4%/decade, until age 69.
• Female orienteers' speed was 81±4%, 74±6%, and 69±7% of males' at ages 21, 45, and 65, respectively.
• Age-related speed decline and sex differences in orienteering were more pronounced than in other endurance running events.

Conclusions:

• Orienteering performance is significantly affected by age and sex, with females experiencing greater age-related decrements.
• The pronounced differences compared to running events may stem from orienteering's unique physical, tactical, and cognitive demands.
• Sociocultural factors might also influence the observed performance disparities in the studied population.