This study identified key physiological, biomechanical, and strength-related predictors of competitive performance in elite female race walkers and evaluated the effectiveness of classical and machine-learning models for individualized training optimization. Thirty nationally ranked female race walkers (25 ± 3 years) were assessed over four seasons (2021-2024). Laboratory and field tests included ergospirometry (VO2max, VCO2, VE (minute ventilation), respiratory exchange ratio (RER)), blood lactate (LA), heart rate (HR), gait kinematics (step length, speed), and lower-limb strength (1RM, maximal power). Temporal and seasonal dynamics were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis and g-Fisher tests. Predictive models included multiple regression, polynomial regression, multilayer perceptron (MLP), and radial basis function (RBF) networks, developed with correlation-vector analysis (R0, R1), collinearity diagnostics, and interaction terms. The most influential predictors were HR, step length, VO2max, and 1RM (R0 > 0.70). RBF achieved the best predictive accuracy (R 2 = 0.89; RMSE = 0.28), outperforming MLP (R 2 = 0.87) and regression baselines (R 2 = 0.61-0.81). Significant seasonal variation (p
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Skalski D, Prończuk M, Łosińska K, Stastny P, Maszczyk A, Zajac A. (2026). Artificial neural network predictive models for optimizing the training process in race walking: a longitudinal observational study.. PeerJ.
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.21224 ↗
PMID: 42199838 ↗
Acceso al paper: Ver completo ↗
Skalski D, Prończuk M, Łosińska K, Stastny P, Maszczyk A, Zajac A. (2026). Artificial neural network predictive models for optimizing the training process in race walking: a longitudinal observational study.. PeerJ.
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.21224 ↗
PMID: 42199838 ↗
Acceso al paper: Ver completo ↗
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