An Analysis of the Performance Determinants of Modern Pentathlon Athletes in Laser-run, A Newly-Combined Event in Modern Pentathlon

PURPOSE: Modern pentathlon, a combined athletic event, where final scores represent the aggregate of scores from swimming, fencing, horseback riding, and laser-run (running and shooting combined), requires participating athletes to have a wide range of athletic prowess, including cardiovascular endurance, agility, muscle power, and muscle strength. Thus, this study analyzed the predominant determinants of athletic performance in the new laser-run event by comparing elite and non-elite athletes. METHODS: Athletes were divided into two groups, elite athletes (n=7, 19.33±0.52 years, BMI=22.18±0.59) and non-elite athletes (n=7, 19.33±0.82 years, BIM=22.27±1.1). For each athlete, a range of metabolic parameters were measured with a wireless respiratory gas analyzer during conducting laser-run. We also determined the overall performance in the laser-run event, including shooting time, accuracy, delay per shooting attempt, and running speed for each phase. RESULTS: The elite group took significantly less time to complete the event than the non-elite group (11”47’13, and 12”20’17, respectively; p=.015). Data revealed that even in shooting and running, most elements have an association with athletic performance, but running time and speed during each phase and overall showed a significant difference between groups (p