This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the speed of performing a complex motor task carried out under conditions requiring decision-making and the sports level of the kickboxers being studied. The authors constructed a test involving a complex author’s kickboxing task that mirrored the competitive conditions during a sports fight. Forty-seven K-1 kickboxing Polish National Team members (37 men and 10 women) performed a specific series of strikes across three variants. The relationship between the speed of these complex movement tasks, performed under decision-making conditions, and the sports level of the kickboxers, was evaluated. Deciding to start or change an action in reaction to external stimuli significantly (p < 0.001) increased the total task completion time in the male and female subject groups. The time spent deciding to take action and the time spent on deciding on the action were not significantly different. Quick execution of complex tasks under decision-making conditions, such as selecting the appropriate technical and tactical action, can become a decisive factor in determining a sports result. Making decisions to start or change an action as a reaction to external stimuli significantly (p < 0.001) extended the total time of task execution in the studied group. However, the time spent deciding to start the action and the time devoted to deciding during the action did not differ significantly. Therefore, the tactical solution an athlete uses makes no difference, though they must perform it confidently and with minimal time loss.

This study aimed to examine the differences in coordination motor abilities between track and field (T&F) runners and foot orienteers (Foot-O). Another purpose of this study was to analyse gender differences in terms of coordination motor abilities. Coordination skills tests were undertaken by 11 Foot-O and 11 T&F runners. Each group consisted of five women and six men who lived in the Lower Silesia region of Poland. The Foot-O group consisted of 11 orienteers aged 24.09 (±4.78) years, with a minimum 10 years of experience, while the T&F group consisted of 11 long-distance runners aged 24.91 (±4.04) years and with a performance level at distances of 5 km and 10 km equivalent to that for orienteering. Some of the participants represented world-class level (e.g., world junior medallists), and most of them were of national elite level. Coordination tests of motor abilities were chosen for their reliability and repeatability and included tests of spatial orientation, rhythmisation of movements, balance and kinaesthetic differentiation. The Foot-O group performed significantly better than the T&F group in terms of some coordination abilities. Differences were observed between the Foot-O and T&F runners in balance ability measured during the “Walk on the bench” test. Further research should be carried out in this area in order to confirm these differences.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine differences between track and field (T&F) runners and foot-orienteers (Foot-O) in the walking and running tests in the absence of vision and hearing. We attempted to determine whether experienced foot orienteers show better ability to maintain the indicated direction compared to track and field runners. Methods: This study examined 11 Foot-O and 11 T&F runners. The study consisted of an interview, a field experiment of walking and running in a straight line in the absence of vision and hearing, and coordination skills tests. Results: Participants moved straight min. 20 m and max. 40 m during the walking test and min. 20 m and max. 125 m during the running test and then they moved around in a circle. Significant differences between groups were found for the distance covered by walking. Differences between sexes were documented for the distance covered by running and angular deviations. Relationship between lateralization and tendencies to veer were not found. Differences were observed between Foot-O and T&F groups in terms of coordination abilities. Conclusions: Participants moved in circles irrespective of the type of movement and experience in practicing the sport. Orienteers may use information about their tendencies to turning more often left or right to correct it during their races in dense forests with limited visibility or during night orienteering competition.

This research aimed to investigate morphological parameters (body mass, height, BMI) of medallists at the World Masters Orienteering Championships (WMOC), alongside their sports achievements and results. Fifty medallists from the 2022 WMOC, aged 35 to 80, were surveyed using a questionnaire, with non-parametric statistics (Mann–Whitney U test and ρ-Spearman test) applied for analysis. The average height was 179 cm for men and 165 cm for women, with average weights of 70 kg for men and 54 kg for women. BMI was 21.5 (SD = 1.43) for men and 20.4 (SD = 1.74) for women, with significantly lower BMI values in women (Z = 2.054, p = 0.04). Men’s BMI decreased with age (R = −0.534, p < 0.01). The BMI value of masters foot orienteers is typical for middle-distance runners. Women are closer to the somatotype of 1500 m athletes and men to 800 m athletes. Lack of earlier elite success does not preclude being on the podium at the WMOC (only 3 of the 50 medallists surveyed had won a medal in elite competition in the past).

Orienteering is an endurance sport requiring prolonged aerobic effort and high cognitive load, and adequate nutrition is essential to optimise performance, recovery, and long-term health. This cross-sectional study characterised dietary intake in Elite Orienteering Athletes (EOAs) and compared macronutrient and micronutrient intakes with current sports nutrition recommendations. Twenty EOAs (eight males and 12 females) were assessed during the orienteering competition “35° Trofeo Internacional Murcia Costa Cálida” in Spain. Dietary intake was recorded using a four-day weighed food record, including solid and liquid consumption, and compared with Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Nutritional adequacy was expressed as the prevalence of athletes meeting DRIs (95% CI, Wilson method). Mean daily energy intake was 2134 ± 715 kcal/day, with only 5% of athletes meeting the recommended intake. Carbohydrate intake was below recommendations (42.5 ± 6.5% TEI), whereas protein (22.5 ± 15.0% TEI) and fat (37.9 ± 6.0% TEI) were consumed in excess. Calcium and zinc intakes were below DRIs, while phosphorus and sodium exceeded recommended values. Vitamin intakes were generally adequate, although vitamin D intake was insufficient, with only 30% of athletes meeting the DRI. These findings indicate notable nutritional imbalances among EOAs and highlight the need for individualised nutritional strategies to improve energy and carbohydrate availability and optimise key micronutrients to support performance and health.

The study aimed to capture the relationships between sports performance and workouts in different foot orienteer age groups. The preparation process of 49 World Masters Orienteering Championship (WMOC) medalists (aged 35–75) was surveyed using a questionnaire. The respondents were asked about the number of training sessions, time devoted to training and competitions, and the characteristics of the training measures used (including the number of specialized training sessions and competitions) during the preparation and competition periods. The data underwent non-parametric statistical analysis, with the Mann-Whitney U test used to assess differences between two structural indicators. Men trained more frequently than women (p = 0.015), and younger subgroups (WM35-WM55) trained more often than older ones (WM60-WM75) (p = 0.021). During preparation, men trained longer than women (p = 0.045), while younger masters trained more hours than older ones. No significant gender differences were found in training volume during the competition period (p = 0.74). Sixty-two percent of medalists used over 10 specialized training sessions within six months of WMOC, with younger male veterans (M35-M55) reporting the highest number. More men (92.9%) than women (54.5%) competed over 10 times in the six months preceding WMOC (p = 0.002). WMOC medalists trained optimally, considering age-related decline, and frequently prepared by participating in orienteering competitions. Some training work-out differences were observed among medalists based on age and sex. The study observations provide the first insight into the preparation of master category orienteering competitors for international competition. Indeed, most are very professional in their preparation and devote much time to training and participating in competitions, especially younger competitors.