PACK RUNNING AMONG FEMALE NCAA COLLEGIATE CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS

Authors

  • Josh Falk Department of Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, United States of America
  • Abigail Larson Department of Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, United States of America
  • Mark DeBeliso Department of Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, United States of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v9i1.4484

Keywords:

packing, distance running performance, coaching strategies, running strategies, group running, team performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify if there was a relationship between running with a teammate(s), often referred to as packing, during a cross-country race and lower aggregate team times of the top five scoring runners. This study examined packing strategies of Division 1 NCAA female cross-country runners. Packing was defined as any team member running within a second of a teammate at a given checkpoint during the race. All competitors across three women’s races wore chip-timing bibs that recorded each competitor’s time at checkpoints throughout the race. Only teams having five or more runners were included in the analysis. A “packing score %” was calculated for each team by dividing the number of times a runner was within a second of a teammate at a checkpoint in a given interval by the total number of packing opportunities within the interval (PS%). The total scoring team time was then calculated from the finishing time of each team’s top five runners (Team Aggregate Time-TAT). The correlation coefficient between PS% and TAT was r = -0.47 (p < 0.001). While more research is needed to identify how and when packing should be optimally used, empirical findings indicate packing is beneficially associated with team running times.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Josh Falk, Department of Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, United States of America

    Josh Falk, MSc earned his Masters of Science degree at Southern Utah University. He is currently the Head Girls Cross Country Coach and Track Distance Coach at Wilson High School in Reading, PA where he also teaches math and computer science. His research interests include running psychology and pedagogy.

  • Abigail Larson, Department of Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, United States of America

    Abigail Larson, PhD, RD, CSSD, CSCS earned her doctorate from the University of Utah and is an Associate Professor at Southern Utah University. Her research interests include assessing energy availability and measures of health and performance among high level and recreational female athletes. orcid.org/0000-0003-1996-2317

  • Mark DeBeliso, Department of Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, United States of America

    Mark DeBeliso, PhD FACSM earned his Doctoral degree from Oregon State University. He is currently a Professor and Graduate Program Director at Southern Utah University. His research interests include: orthopaedic biomechanics, mechanics and metabolics of sport movements and work tasks, strength training for all walks of life, and masters athletes. orcid.org/0000-0001-6479-7918

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Published

2022-10-12

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Articles

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