Quantitative analysis of 200 meter track times

Abstract

Using male, varsity, division 3 collegiate track and field results from the past decade, critical coaching decisions such as optimizing meet scheduling, targeting efficient training programs to mimic, and identifying potential performance-influencing factors on athletes can be made more easily. To come to these conclusions, 200-meter race times were normalized using seasonal athlete improvement factors and wind data to identify at which facilities athletes tended to run faster times and what factors make those facilities fast. It can be concluded that the variation in banked track and field facilities makes the banked-to-flat track conversion factor implemented by the NCAA in 2012 is potentially too harsh for athletes to compete on some banked indoor tracks compared to others. The data also has the potential for many other applications such as identifying the highest quality training programs, analyzing conversion factors and facility speed for races other than the 200-meter dash, and applying similar principals to variations in swimming facilities.