The Impact of Wavelight Technology on Performance and Pacing and Tactical Behavior in 1500-m Diamond League Races

To determine the impact of Wavelight Technology on performance and tactical and pacing behavior in 1500-m Diamond League events.

A total of forty-five 1500-m Diamond League races held between 2021 and 2024 were categorized as non-Wavelight (n = 12) and Wavelight (n = 33) races. Athletes in each race were grouped by their final ranking: top 4 (T4), fifth to eighth (T8), and ninth to twelfth (T12). The 100-m section data were collected to assess athletes' section speeds, intermediate positions, and number of position changes. Additionally, finishing times and coefficient of variation of pace (CV%) were obtained for each athlete.

Finishing times were faster in Wavelight than non-Wavelight races across groups (P < .001; 0.87 ≤ d ≤ 1.74) with lower CV% values in Wavelight races (P < .001; 0.60 ≤ d ≤ 0.86). A U-shaped pacing profile was observed in T4 and T8 groups, although it was less pronounced in Wavelight races (ie, lower speed drop in the middle part, and a reduced endspurt), while T12 groups displayed a positive pacing profile, with a greater speed decrease in non-Wavelight races. There were fewer position changes in Wavelight than non-Wavelight races.

Wavelight races were more evenly paced than non-Wavelight races, which likely resulted in lower metabolic disturbances and the superior performance observed in Wavelight versus non-Wavelight races. Optimizing pacing strategies through Wavelight technology may assist coaches and athletes in improving race execution, enhancing performance, and achieving personal bests or qualification standards for international championships.