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01-08-2019 | Original Article

Human Development Index and the frequency of nations in Athletics World Rankings

Authors: Patrick Anderson Santos, Caio Victor Sousa, Samuel da Silva Aguiar, Beat Knechtle, Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis, Marcelo Magalhães Sales, Thiago dos Santos Rosa, Lysleine Alves de Deus, Carmen Silvia Grubert Campbell, Higor Geovane de Sousa, Lucas Duarte Barbosa, Herbert Gustavo Simões

Published in: Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Introduction

The influence of socioeconomic factors in the achievement of sport success is still a matter of debate. Due to the popularity and low-cost practice, analyses of the Athletics World Ranking (AWR) may provide valuable information. Therefore, we investigated the frequency of different socioeconomic status in the AWR for two events (100 m and 10 k) in three categories: Junior, Elite Professionals and Masters.

Method

Data of 5,011 athletes from 99 nationalities were obtained from the official websites of International Association of Athletics Federations, and World Masters Rankings in the years of 2006–2016. The Human Development Index (HDI) for each nationality was used as a marker of socioeconomic status.

Results

An HDI × age group association was observed (χ² = 0.001, p = 0.001, φC = 0.322), where the analysis of frequency rate demonstrated a high prevalence of very elevated and elevated HDI in the AWR for the 100 m. For the endurance 10 k race analysis, the HDI × age group association was also observed, with a high prevalence of moderate and low HDI in Junior and Professionals. Regarding the Masters, the prevalence of moderate and low HDI is almost zero. In addition, multiple linear regressions indicate that the HDI, gross domestic product per capita (GDP/capita) and population can predict the frequency of a country in athletics ranking.

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of elevated and very elevated HDI nationalities in the AWR in sprint races in all age groups. For endurance races, Junior and Professionals had a great prevalence of low/moderate HDI, and Masters are dominated by very elevated HDI. A nation’s frequency in the World Masters Ranking could be indicative of HDI, since an association was found among them.

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Title: Human Development Index and the frequency of nations in Athletics World Rankings
Authors: Patrick Anderson Santos
Caio Victor Sousa
Samuel da Silva Aguiar
Beat Knechtle
Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis
Marcelo Magalhães Sales
Thiago dos Santos Rosa
Lysleine Alves de Deus
Carmen Silvia Grubert Campbell
Higor Geovane de Sousa
Lucas Duarte Barbosa
Herbert Gustavo Simões
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Sport Sciences for Health / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 1824-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1825-1234
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00529-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Human Development Index and the frequency of nations in Athletics World Rankings

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Conclusions

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