Comparison of physical and mental test parameters of elite orienteering athletes with competition results

The purpose of this study was to compare the physical and mental test parameters of orienteering athletes with the end of season competition scores. 21 volunteers competing in the elite men's (E21E) category participated in the study. Sit and reach flexibility test, 20 m sprint test, illinois agility test, countermovement jump test(CMJ), squat jump test(SJ), McGill core endurance test, isokinetic leg strenght test, the running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), 3000 m running test, d2 attention test, spatial visualization and mental rotation test was applied to all participants. Athletes are divided into 2 groups: less experienced (2-5 years) and experienced (5 years and over). A statistically significant difference was found within parameters of; the 20 m sprint, countermovement jump, squat jump, d2TN, d2E2, d2TN-E and d2KP scores between the groups. It was observed that less experienced athletes performed better in the active jump and squat jump tests and experienced athletes performed better in the 20 m sprint test. When the d2TN, d2E2, d2TN-E and d2KP scores were examined, experienced athletes performed better. As a result of the correlation analysis, a statistically significant negative relationship was found between the variables of countermovement jump, squat jump, RAST fatique index and 3000 m running test, a statistically significant positive relationship was found between the variables of the experience. As a result of the regression analysis, it was concluded that experience and aerobic endurance are two important components that affect performance. Keywords: Orienteering, Aerobic endurance, 3000 m running, Experience.