Six Hundred Meter–Run and Broken 800’s Contribution to Pacing Improvement in Eight Hundred Meter–Athletics

Abstract

Little is known about the influence of speed endurance workouts on the improvement of pacing strategies in the 800-m running event. This study aims to analyze it, comparing continuous repetitions vs. interval training workouts. Because we hypothesize that pacing is susceptible to expertise, there might be age differences. Nineteen male 800-m runners (age: 21.36 ± 5.26, season best [SB]: 117.14 ± 5.18 seconds) were tested. Athletes were asked to run 1 × 600 m (6r) at 100% (SB) and 2 × 4 (200 m per 30 seconds) per 15 minutes (B8) at 102% (SB), counterbalanced and randomized within 1 week of difference. Pacing strategy (velocity dynamics) was analyzed by means of time differences in 200-m segments (T200), whereas age category was considered a grouping factor (younger than 23 years-senior, n = 10; vs. juvenile-junior, n = 9; 25.29 ± 4.32, 17.00 ± 0.66 years). Blood lactate was registered after 6r, B(8)1, and B(8)2 bouts. Univariate contrast analysis revealed a significant decrease in velocity during 6r (p < 0.001; 9.33% between first and third segment), thus a positive pacing, whatever the age category. B8 shared this final significant impairment (p < 0.001), although it was smaller (5.73% drop for B(8)1; 8.47% for B(8)2), and neither linear nor significant among consecutive T200. B8 also showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the interaction sampling condition × age category. The T test added blood lactate significant differences (B(8)2: 15.42 ± 1.16, B(8)1: 12.25 ± 2.03 and 6r: 13.58 ± 1.82 mmol·L(-1)). Summarizing, both methods share a positive pacing, confirming to be related to enhancing energy systems and coping final fatigue in the 800 m. Continuous 6r preserves the nature and tempo of the 800 m, although 1 repetition is metabolically limited. Interval B8 allows larger amounts of high intensity running, enhancing neuromuscular benefits jointly with higher lactate productions. Significant age category differences in B8 indicate that pacing capacity may improve with expertise and interval workouts may be appropriate methods to manage it.

Pacing Behaviour Development and Acquisition: A Systematic Review

“…The higher brain centre to develop most during this period is the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain associated with abstract thinking, planning and decision-making [31,32]. Neurological evidence suggests that the prefrontal cortex is essential to pacing as it is said to facilitate the integration of afferent feedback into topdown control of motor unit recruitment [33]. As pacing encompasses a complex psychophysiological process [1,34], it seems more than likely that it develops throughout childhood and adolescence [1,18,35].…”

Heart rate dynamics and lactate following high-intensity race-pace continuous vs interval workouts in highly trained athletes

“…We were also interested in examining possible differences between Junior-Juvenile (JUN) and Senior-Under 23 (SEN) athletes in relation to the aforementioned responses. According to previous studies [2,7,8,11,12], we hypothesized a greater alteration in HR dynamics, a higher peak lactate and a slower lactate clearance following INT, despite our earlier result showing that both approaches share a significant final speed worsening, thus a positive pacing, with higher speed impairments for CON [1].…”

“…In a previous paper we delved into the advantages and disadvantages of race-pace continuous vs. interval workouts regarding performance and pacing improvement in 800-m athletics [1]; meanwhile, the main aim of the present study was to assess HR dynamics during the immediate 15-min recovery together with peak lactate and 15-min post-exercise lactate clearance, and to examine possible differences between JUN and SEN athletes in relation to the aforementioned responses. As we hypothesized, a greater alteration in linear (i.e., rMSSD) and nonlinear (i.e., DFA 1 ) HR dynamics was observed following INT compared to CON.…”

“…The procedures regarding performance assessment have already been described in detail [1]. Summarizing, running times and subsequent average speeds (AvSpeed) were registered with the aid of a CASIO HS EX-FH100 camera placed in the centre of the track, recording at 420 Hz.…”

“…In the acute period leading up to the major races of the season, highly-trained middle-distance athletes (i.e., 800 and 1500-m runners) usually alternate race-pace continuous and interval workouts performed at intensities very close or above their competitive pace to effectively prepare for the competition. As a rule [1,2], race-pace continuous workouts, inasmuch as they are intended to resemble the whole nature of the event and tackling the athlete's pacing ability, consist of a single repetition conducted at competitive pace on a distance close to the real competition (usually between 50 and 75%). Meanwhile, interval approaches are employed to improve speed-endurance and enhance the athlete's ability to recover between repetitions.…”