Pacing in a self-paced world record attempt in 24-h road cycling

Abstract

BackgroundPacing strategy plays a major role in sport performance. However, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning pacing during ultra-endurance sport events. The present case study investigated the pacing of an ultra-cyclist in a self-paced attempt to break the world record in 24-h road cycling and, with all the caveats and the limitations affecting a case report, could be useful in generating hypotheses and further studies about pacing dynamics during prolonged sport performances.Case descriptionA well experienced ultra-cyclist completed laps of 11.731 km during 24 h and the support crew recorded for each lap time and power output in Watt. The trend in cycling speed and power output across laps was investigated using regression analyses. A mixed-effects regression model including lap, ambient air temperature, air pressure, air humidity and wind speed as fixed variables was used to investigate a relationship of environmental factors with cycling speed.Discussion and evaluationThe athlete achieved 896.173 km within the 24 h. He set a new world record by breaking the old record (Jure Robic, 2004, 834.77 km) by 61.403 km. He cycled at an average speed of 37.34 km/h with an average power output of 250.2 W. The decrease in cycling speed and power output across laps could be modelled linearly. Temperature and wind speed were related to cycling speed during the whole event. There was a significant interaction air temperature × relative humidity for the whole event.ConclusionsThe athlete adopted a positive pacing (i.e. speed gradually declined throughout the event) and environmental factors (i.e. temperature and wind speed) influenced cycling speed during the event.

Sex differences in pacing during ‘Ultraman Hawaii’

“…Another parameter that might play a role on the performance in ‘Ultraman Hawaii’ is pacing. Although pacing has been studied extensively in separate endurance and ultra-endurance events ( Knechtle et al, 2015a ; Nikolaidis & Knechtle, 2016 ) and in shorter formats of triathlon ( Wu et al, 2016 ; Wu et al, 2015 ), no information on pacing in a multi-day triathlon such as ‘Ultraman Hawaii’ is available, i.e., how the performance in one event (e.g., swimming) influences the performance of subsequent events (e.g., cycling).…”

“…There is also evidence that performance decreases during a multi-stage ultra-endurance triathlon ( Herbst et al, 2011 ; Knechtle et al, 2014 ). In race held over ten times the Ironman distance, performance progressively declined over days ( Knechtle et al, 2015a ; Knechtle et al, 2014 ). Additionally, sex has an influence on pacing during triathlon ( Le Meur et al, 2009 ; Vleck et al, 2008 ).…”

Self-Selected Pacing During a World Record Attempt in 40 Ironman-Distance Triathlons in 40 Days

“…It is well known that environmental conditions such a wind and heat have an influence on ultra-endurance performance [62]. While it is known that wind has an influence on ultra-cycling performance [63], one might assume that also heat might impair ultra-endurance performance [64]. Triathletes competing under thermal stress conditions in the 'Ironman Hawaii' reached a state of hyperthermia during the marathon [65].It was observed that overall time was predictive for cycling performance of the following day and sleep time was not related to performance.…”

Peer Review #1 of "Sex differences in pacing during ‘Ultraman Hawaii’ (v0.1)"

“…Another parameter that might play a role on the performance in 'Ultraman Hawaii' is pacing. Although pacing has been studied extensively in separate endurance and ultra-endurance events (Knechtle et al 2015a;Nikolaidis & Knechtle 2016) and in shorter formats of triathlon (Wu et al 2016;Wu et al 2015), no information on pacing in a multi-day triathlon such as 'Ultraman Hawaii' is available , i.e. how the performance in one event (e.g.…”

“…There is also evidence that performance decreases during a multi-stage ultra-endurance triathlon (Herbst et al 2011;Knechtle et al 2014). In race held over ten times the Ironman distance, performance progressively declined over days (Knechtle et al 2015a;Knechtle et al 2014).…”