A scientific study that measures athletic responses on 'Race Day' over a period of time, ought to provide some interesting trends over various periods of time. The idea would be to measure key groups of consistent athletes (preferably elite, or at a minimum, highly monitored athletes - the key area would be consistent training, participation and workrates). Then one would look at, for example, Heart rate monitor data. This would include times, dates, durations, temperature,calorie consumption etc.
Even if one discounted the athletes own experiences, we would still get an interesting record of year to day changes in temperatures. What may be interesting, over a period of time, is looking at how the amount of calories consumed changes as the athlete has to adapt to ever changing local weather conditions (heat, wind, cold etc.)
An everyday example of this would be the Cape Argus. Lately we've had very hot, windless days. 94.7 was wet last year, will this year be similar. These records may prove to be very useful, but I wonder, from a scientific perspective, just HOW useful this data could be. I am guessing VERY.
For more on this topic, click on the tag below: Toughest day in sports.
Please note that the movie The 11th Hour starts today at cinemas nationwide.
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