Comparative study on outstanding modern pentathlon athletes selecting in China

This study compares and analyzes the performance of athletes from various sports backgrounds after they transition to modern pentathlon. The results indicate that male modern pentathletes with a swimming background significantly outperform those with a running background in all performance indicators. For female modern pentathletes, there is no significant difference in performance between those with a swimming and running background. It is recommended to comprehensively adjust the talent selection direction, fully implement the strategy of selecting outstanding modern pentathletes from high-level swimmers, and cease the selection of modern pentathletes from athletes in sports other than swimming. Additionally, the talent selection strategy for female modern pentathletes should be adjusted, taking the excellent male modern pentathletes in China as a reference, to increase the selection of outstanding female modern pentathletes from high-level swimmers.