Strategic target setting in the Heptathlon
What is it about?
The Heptathlon is a combined event within track and field athletics that includes seven disciplines performed over two days of competition (100 m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, 200 m, Long Jump, Javelin Throw and 800 m). The Heptathlon first featured in the Summer Olympics in 1984 and has been ever-present in global competitions since. The point scoring system for the Heptathlon uses a series of formulae and scoring coefficients with the aim of giving a fair score for performances of different timed and measured events. This study examines scoring within the women’s Heptathlon to identify areas of performance where athletes could most improve their points total and propose an approach to target setting.
Why is it important?
The study showed the disciplines with the most scope for improvements and the proposed target setting approach can be used to identify which disciplines an athlete should focus on to maximise feasible improvements in their total points, and to estimate the probability of the athlete exceeding the target that has been set. The approach should be used in conjunction with specialist knowledge of the wider context of the athlete’s recent heptathlon performances and training and competition schedule.