First, some caveats about the data. One, while the number of female athletes right now are large (>6000), ahem, for whatever reason there's a big difference between the men and women in filling out the optional biologic data. ~71% of men filled out weight and height information, while only ~47% of women did. Consequently, the data for the women's weight class plots is a bit sparse. There's still some interesting information, though, so let's get to it!
First, in week 1: I think the individual variation in performance in wk 1 was large enough to dominate any strong body weight relation. You might say that the 100 and 105 pounders were crushed, and there may be some truth to that, but I'm not greatly confident here because the numbers are pretty sparse. I could generally see how it makes sense though. The power snatch Rx weight for Wk1 was 55 lbs, which might have been difficult to sustain for the lighter ladies.
For week 2 - Interestingly, average workout 2 performance had a gradual downward trajectory from left to right, which suggests to me that the box jumps/push ups were, compared to the boys, more difficult than the deadlift part of the workout. I'm not too sure what to make of the elites, which were up and down in seemingly no real pattern.
Overall, through wk 2 I'd say the open has been fair throughout the weight classes on the women's side. Now through week 3, I'd guess the circumstances are about to change drastically!
I've been considering this concept of "ideal body mass index" for CrossFitters (though without the statistical analysis skills). Have you considered looking at ideal BMI instead of strictly weight? I think that including height into the mix would prove more beneficial if a CrossFitter wanted to get to an ideal weight for their height. Some assumptions would need to be made regarding body fat (10% or less?) to get the full picture. My initial calculation puts the top men from the '10 games at an average BMI of 27. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteLove what you're doing here. Please, keep it up through the open!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I can't believe you are doing this. I was just thinking yesterday how if I worked for HQ I would be using this as an opportunity to collect massive amounts of data to see the general performance level of crossfitters. I will definitely be following your analysis. Can't wait for your WOD 3 post as a woman who has yet to complete a single 110 pound C & J. Am hoping for at least one this week just to stay "in" the competition even though I have no chance of moving on.
ReplyDeleteI love this too! So interesting. Could we get you do do it for height, too? :) Hope you keep it up - and good luck to you in the WODs.
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