Influence of gender on pacing adopted by elite triathletes during a competition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the pacing strategies adopted by women and men during a World Cup ITU triathlon. Twelve elite triathletes (6 females, 6 males) competed in a World Cup Olympic distance competition where speed and heart rate (HR) were measured in the three events. The power output (PO) was recorded in cycling to determine the time spent in five intensity zones ([0-10% VT1]; [10% VT1-VT1]; [VT1-VT2]; [VT2-MAP] and > or =MAP) [ventilatory threshold (VT); maximal aerobic power (MAP)]. Swimming and running speeds decreased similarly for both genders (P < 0.05) and HR values were similar through the whole race (92 +/- 2 and 92 +/- 3% of maximal HR for women and men, respectively). The distribution of time spent in the five zones during the cycling leg was the same for both genders. The men's speed and PO decreased after the first bike lap (P < 0.05) and the women spent relatively more time above MAP in the hilly sections (45 +/- 4 vs. 32 +/- 4%). The men's running speed decreased significantly over the whole circuit, whereas the women slowed only over the uphill and downhill sections (P < 0.05). This study indicates that both female and male elite triathletes adopted similar positive pacing strategies during swimming and running legs. Men pushed the pace harder during the swim-to-cycle transition contrary to the women and female triathletes were more affected by changes in slope during the cycling and running phases.

Performance factors in the new combined event of modern pentathlon

“…In fact, the mean difference in running velocity between the two first running sections of a lap reached -2.7 km.h-1 or 13.7 % for the 36 pentathletes (-2.8 km.h-1 and 15.7 % for lap1, -2.6 km.h-1 and 14.6 % for lap2, -2.7 km.h-1 and 11.0 % for lap3, P < 0.01). Previous studies have reported a similar pacing strategy during the running leg of short distance triathlons (Vleck et al, 2006(Vleck et al, , 2008Le Meur et al, 2009). However, the benefit of this positive pacing strategy (i.e.…”

“…However, the benefit of this positive pacing strategy (i.e. positive split) which is systematically adopted by elite triathletes still remains unclear and has been questioned by several authors (Millet & Vleck, 2000;Vleck et al, 2006Vleck et al, , 2008Le Meur et al, 2009). It has been suggested that under stable external conditions (i.e.…”

Trends in Triathlon Performance: Effects of Sex and Age

“…In particular however, lower power-to-weight ratios for females compared to male triathletes inevitably leave them at a disadvantage during steep climbs. [76,77] Moreover, the increased bike handling skills, required especially during downhill mountain biking may be impaired by relatively lower female arm or leg isometric muscle strength, meaning that greater sex differences in off-road triathlon could be attributed to decreased ability to control the bicycle in females. However, this assumption needs to be confirmed with specific investigations of the effect of sex on technical ability in mountain biking.…”

Will the Conscious–Subconscious Pacing Quagmire Help Elucidate the Mechanisms of Self-Paced Exercise? New Opportunities in Dual Process Theory and Process Tracing Methods

“…One of the most common questions encountered at pacing symposia is whether regulatory mechanisms during self-paced exercise operate at a conscious or subconscious level. Indeed this question has been the focus of much of the pacing literature, including the influential central governor theory [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Although conscious perceptual processes are a recognised component of this theory [7,8], its main tenet is that a central controller subconsciously regulates the recruitment of motor units during exercise, acting as a protective homeostatic system that responds to afferent feedback about internal physiological disturbances [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…Indeed this question has been the focus of much of the pacing literature, including the influential central governor theory [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Although conscious perceptual processes are a recognised component of this theory [7,8], its main tenet is that a central controller subconsciously regulates the recruitment of motor units during exercise, acting as a protective homeostatic system that responds to afferent feedback about internal physiological disturbances [3][4][5][6][7][8]. A predominant alternative view is the psychobiological model [9] which contends motor unit recruitment is a consciously regulated process, as evidenced by the negative effects that distracting, loading or fatiguing the conscious mind have on pacing [10,11].…”