Grouping of runners during marathon competition.
Marathon runners tend to form clusters during competition, possibly as a means of improving their performance. Studies of international competitors in Fukuoka and Tokyo races have shown a density of 0.44 to 0.80 runners.m2 among those maintaining a pace of 4.8-5.6 m.s-1, clustering being most marked among elite performers. Some 95% of clustered runners maintained a minimum distance of 0.5-1.5 m from other competitors; moreover, such competitors avoided occupying an angle of +/- 15 degrees either before or behind other runners. The phenomenon merits closer study by those interested in the bettering of marathon performance.
Laboratory for Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Education, Toyama University, Japan.
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Yamaji
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Shephard
D003163:Competitive Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010550:Personal Space; D012420:Running; D013037:Spatial Behavior