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Reading the Elevation Profile
Mathematical and visual reference for the Elevation Profile chart, the cumulative altitude vs distance plot that contextualises a session or race route by its terrain. Documents the source of altitude data (barometric vs GPS-derived), the smoothing-and-spike-rejection algorithms that produce displayed elevation gain, the standard overlays (gradient bands, climb-detection, equivalent-flat-distance), the diagnostic patterns that distinguish well-paced from poorly-paced hilly efforts, and the boundary conditions that affect cross-platform elevation-gain comparability.
Mathematical and visual reference for the Elevation Profile chart, the cumulative altitude vs distance plot that contextualises a session or race route by its terrain. Documents the source of altitude data (barometric vs GPS-derived), the smoothing-and-spike-rejection algorithms that produce displayed elevation gain, the standard overlays (gradient bands, climb-detection, equivalent-flat-distance), the diagnostic patterns that distinguish well-paced from poorly-paced hilly efforts, and the boundary conditions that affect cross-platform elevation-gain comparability.
References
- Minetti AE, Moia C, Roi GS, Susta D, Ferretti G (2002). Energy cost of walking and running at extreme uphill and downhill slopes. J Appl Physiol 93:1039-1046. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01177.2001 · PMID 12183501
- Vernillo G, Giandolini M, Edwards WB, Morin JB, Samozino P, Horvais N, Millet GY (2017). Biomechanics and physiology of uphill and downhill running. Sports Med 47:615-629. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0605-y · PMID 27501719
- Barnes KR, Kilding AE (2015). Running economy: measurement, norms, and determining factors. Sports Med Open 1:8. doi: 10.1186/s40798-015-0007-y · PMID 27512611
- Saunders PU, Pyne DB, Telford RD, Hawley JA (2004). Factors affecting running economy in trained distance runners. Sports Med 34:465-485. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200434070-00005 · PMID 15233599
- Leo P, Spragg J, Lawley JS, Mujika I (2022). Power profiling and the power-duration relationship in cycling: a narrative review. Eur J Appl Physiol 122:301-316. doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04833-y · PMID 34708276