Effect of performance level on pacing strategy during a 10-km running race

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the performance level of athletes on pacing strategy during a simulated 10-km running race, and the relationship between physiological variables and pacing strategy. Twenty-four male runners performed an incremental exercise test on a treadmill, three 6-min bouts of running at 9, 12 and 15 km h(-1), and a self-paced, 10-km running performance trial; at least 48 h separated each test. Based on 10-km running performance, subjects were divided into terziles, with the lower terzile designated the low-performing (LP) and the upper terzile designated the high-performing (HP) group. For the HP group, the velocity peaked at 18.8 +/- 1.4 km h(-1) in the first 400 m and was higher than the average race velocity (P < 0.05). The velocity then decreased gradually until 2,000 m (P < 0.05), remaining constant until 9,600 m, when it increased again (P < 0.05). The LP group ran the first 400 m at a significantly lower velocity than the HP group (15.6 +/- 1.6 km h(-1); P > 0.05) and this initial velocity was not different from LP average racing velocity (14.5 +/- 0.7 km h(-1)). The velocity then decreased non-significantly until 9,600 m (P > 0.05), followed by an increase at the end (P < 0.05). The peak treadmill running velocity (PV), running economy (RE), lactate threshold (LT) and net blood lactate accumulation at 15 km h(-1) were significantly correlated with the start, middle, last and average velocities during the 10-km race. These results demonstrate that high and low performance runners adopt different pacing strategies during a 10-km race. Furthermore, it appears that important determinants of the chosen pacing strategy include PV, LT and RE.

Importance of descending skill for performance in fell races: a statistical analysis of race results

“…Studies of runners in a 10 km race (Lima-Silva et al 2010) and a marathon (March et al 2011) have shown a general slowing of the pace as the race progresses, apart from an "end spurt" when approaching the finish. A similar pacing strategy may be expected in mountain races, and it is important to separate any effect of pacing strategy on overall performance from that of descending skill.…”

Risco de fadiga prematura, percepção subjetiva de esforço e estratégia de prova durante uma corrida de 10 km

“…T et al 4 observaram esse tipo de estratégia em 33 dos 34 recordistas mundiais dos 10 km. L -S et al 3 observaram que corredores com tempo nos 10 km inferior a 35,6 min utilizavam a estratégia com início rápido com padrão em "U". Sendo assim, observamos que os corredores amadores no presente estudo, porém experientes em provas de 10 km, ajustam a sua velocidade durante uma corrida com padrões semelhantes a atletas de alto desempenho.…”

“…Os ajustes constantes de velocidade durante uma corrida são denominados estratégia de prova [1][2][3] e têm sido considerados fatores determinantes para o sucesso de atletas em provas de média e longa distâncias 2,4 . Dentre as diferentes estratégias observadas 2,5 , acreditase que a mais e caz é aquela em que o atleta é capaz de regular seu gasto energético para prevenir a fadiga prematura e realizar a prova no menor tempo possível [6][7] .…”

Relação entre a cinética do consumo de oxigênio e a estratégia de corrida em uma prova de 10km

“…In events of medium and long duration (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) , the strategy applied usually applied by the athletes is based on a faster exit, followed by gradual decrease in the mean distance of the event, and final acceleration. It is believed that this fast exit may favor aerobic performance during the event due to acceleration in the kinetics of the oxygen consumption ( O 2 ).…”

“…In fact, Lima-Silva et al (3) demonstrated that athletes with higher performance level adopted running strategy with faster exit in a 10km event, reaching the highest velocities right in the beginning of the race (fast-start), while runners with lower level adopted a more conservative strategy, with discreet initial increase and not different from the subsequent velocities of the event. Thus, considering the previously highlighted relationship between the O 2 kinetics and running strategy,…”