Chen Yuming, Chen Jiexing, Cao Yang, Chen Liang
School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 26;15(1):33273. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-17429-9.
This study aimed to investigate the peak performance characteristics of world elite speed skaters and the key competition factors involved in the journey towards achieving better peak performance. Data from 651 elite skaters (361 males and 290 females) across the 2003/2004 to 2022/2023 seasons were collected from the international skating Union database. Individual quadratic trajectories were used to track progression to peak performance. K-means clustering grouped competitive feature variables, and key competition factors were analyzed through a binary logistic regression model, with the odds ratio (OR) indicating whether a factor was favorable (OR > 1) or unfavorable (OR < 1). Differences (P < 0.01) in the peak age between medalists and non-medalists were noticed, while no differences (P > 0.05) were noticed between sexes or distances. Differences (P < 0.05) were observed between sexes, as well as between medalists and non-medalists in the peak-performance window. Binary logistic regression revealed that medium (OR = 8.070) or high (OR = 28.242) first participation performance, high first major competition performance (OR = 4.818), medium (OR = 10.661) or early (OR = 51.592) first major competition age, medium career-best performance age (OR = 40.333), participation frequency above 2.8 times/year in phase-3 (2.8-4.7 times/year: OR = 5.132; 4.8-8.0 times/year: OR = 8.171), and a career length of 9 years or more (9-13 years: OR = 2.538; 14-21 years: OR = 4.647) were favorable factors for achieving better peak performance. In conclusion, peak age range for world elite speed skaters was 25-28 years, with a duration of peak performance lasting 4-5 years. Certain competition factors were key conditions for world elite speed skaters to enhance their peak performance.
本研究旨在调查世界顶尖速滑运动员的最佳竞技表现特征，以及在实现更佳最佳竞技表现的过程中涉及的关键竞赛因素。从国际滑冰联盟数据库收集了2003/2004赛季至2022/2023赛季期间651名顶尖速滑运动员（361名男性和290名女性）的数据。使用个体二次轨迹来追踪达到最佳竞技表现的进程。K均值聚类对竞赛特征变量进行分组，并通过二元逻辑回归模型分析关键竞赛因素，优势比（OR）表明一个因素是有利的（OR>1）还是不利的（OR<1）。注意到奖牌获得者和非奖牌获得者在最佳竞技年龄上存在差异（P<0.01），而在性别或比赛距离之间未发现差异（P>0.05）。在最佳竞技表现窗口期，性别之间以及奖牌获得者和非奖牌获得者之间均观察到差异（P<0.05）。二元逻辑回归显示，中等（OR = 8.070）或高水平（OR = 28.242）的首次参赛表现、高水平的首次重大比赛表现（OR = 4.818）、中等（OR = 10.661）或较早（OR = 51.592）的首次重大比赛年龄、中等的职业生涯最佳表现年龄（OR = 40.333）、第三阶段每年参赛频率高于2.8次（2.8 - 4.7次/年：OR = 5.132；4.8 - 8.0次/年：OR = 8.171）以及9年或更长的职业生涯长度（9 - 13年：OR = 2.538；14 - 21年：OR = 4.647）是实现更佳最佳竞技表现的有利因素。总之，世界顶尖速滑运动员的最佳竞技年龄范围为25 - 28岁，最佳竞技表现持续时间为4 - 5年。某些竞赛因素是世界顶尖速滑运动员提升最佳竞技表现的关键条件。
