Difference in Pacing Between Time- and Distance-Based Time Trials in Trained Cyclists

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the pacing profiles between distance- and duration-based trials of short and long duration. Thirteen trained cyclists completed 2 time-based (6 and 30 min) and 2 distance-based (4 and 20 km) self-paced cycling time trials. Participants were instructed to complete each trial with the highest average power output. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) were measured throughout the trials. Average power output was not different between the 4-km and 6-min trials (324 ± 46 vs 325 ± 45 W; P = .96) or between the 20-km and 30-min trials (271 ± 44 vs 267 ± 38 W; P = .24). Power output was greater on commencement of the distance-based trials when short and long trials were analyzed together. Furthermore, the rate of decline in power output over the 1st 40% of the trial was greater in the 20-km trial than in the 30-min trial (P = .01) but not different between the 4-km and the 6-min trials (P = .13). RPE was greater in the 4-km trial than in the 6-min trial but not different between the 20-km and 30-min trials. These findings indicate that athletes commenced distance-based time trials at relatively higher power outputs than a similar time-based trial. Such findings may result from discrete differences in our ability to judge or predict an exercise endpoint when performing time- and distance-based trials.

The Reliability and Validity of a Four-Minute Running Time-Trial in Assessing V˙O2max and Performance

“…Standardizing time rather than distance, while subtly different from a typically distance-based athletic event (Abbiss et al, 2016), allows for direct comparisons between exercise modes. Treadmill running under laboratory conditions was chosen in the current study in order to provide a greater degree of environmental control compared with running in the field (i.e., on a track).…”

Pacing Strategy During 24-Hour Ultramarathon-Distance Running

“…However, since we are the first to analyse sex differences in pacing strategy from a time-limited running race, we question whether either hypothesis holds true. Indeed, Abbiss et al 14 showed the nature of exercise task-time-based or distance-based-impacts work distribution. Together with the sex difference in performance 5,18,19 (which means pacing strategy is affected by longer completion time for women in fixed-distance races), these facts might explain the contradiction between our and other studies 12,[15][16][17] .…”

“…With the growth in popularity of ultramarathons [3][4][5][6] , a few studies have investigated pacing strategies in extreme distances ranging from 100 to 161 km [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] , but none has done so in a 24-h running race. Besides the latter being longer-at least for well-trained athletes-time-based races might potentially affect how runners pace their efforts 14 .…”

Commentary: Improvements in Cycling Time Trial Performance Are Not Sustained Following the Acute Provision of Challenging and Deceptive Feedback

“…The end-spurt has been found to occur reliably in the last 10% (or 400 m) of a 4 km time trial (Stone et al, 2011, 2012), and was observed in our study during all trials. In addition, end-spurts have been observed in TTs over 20 km and 30 mins (Thomas et al, 2012; Abbiss et al, 2016), so it is likely an end-spurt would occur during the last 10% (1600 m) of a 16.1 km time trial, although the onset and duration of an end-spurt likely differs based on distance, adopted pacing strategy, and other factors (Abbiss and Laursen, 2008). Importantly, even small increases in the end-spurt, can result in a meaningful increase in overall performance, despite not being reflected in mean power output over the last 4 km (Atkinson and Brunskill, 2000).…”