The effect of self- even- and variable-pacing strategies on the physiological and perceptual response to cycling

Abstract

It has been proposed that an even-pacing strategy is optimal for events lasting <120 s, but this assertion is not well-established. This study tested the hypothesis that even-paced cycling is less challenging than self- or variable-paced cycling. Ten well-trained male cyclists (VO2max, 4.89 ± 0.32 L min(-1)) completed a self-paced (SP) 20-km time trial followed by time- and work-matched even-paced (EP 100% SP mean power) and variable-paced (VP 142 and 72% SP mean power, 1:1.5 high:low power ratio) trials in a random, counterbalanced order. During all trials expired air and heart rate were analysed throughout, blood lactate was sampled every 4 km, and perceptual responses (rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and affect) were assessed every 2 km and post-trial. There were no whole trial statistically significant differences between trials for any of the respiratory variables measured, although there was a trend for higher RER's in VP compared to EP (P = 0.053). Blood lactate was lower in EP compared to VP (P = 0.001) and SP (P = 0.001), and higher in SP compared to VP (P = 0.008). RPE was lower, and affect more positive, in EP compared to both SP and VP (P > 0.05). The results of this study show that, for a time- and work-matched 20-km time trial, an even-paced strategy results in attenuated perturbations in the physiological response and lower perception of effort in comparison to self- and variable-paced strategies.

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

“…This is particularly relevant to early pacing decisions that are made during endurance activity at a point where a great deal of uncertainty exists about how external factors might change or how the athlete's physical condition will develop. The concept of heuristics is also far less deterministic than previous models [6,8,9,[12][13][14] that have suggested the universal driver of pacing behavior is perceived exertion. Dual process theory is less rigid, accommodating the possibility that perceived exertion might be just one of many other heuristic influences that athletes could utilize in making pacing decisions.…”

“…As previously noted, perceived exertion shares many characteristics of an emotion [15] and in this regard may act similarly to the affect heuristic in the determination of pace as many of the models predict [6,8,9,[12][13][14]. However, sometimes perceived exertion models of pacing are unable to account for failures in performance resulting from poor pacing which, for example in the central governor model should be prevented through homeostatic control [3][4][5][6], or in perceived exertion trajectory models [8,[12][13][14] would result in preventative pacing adjustments. It is through the availability of other heuristics, and athletes' ability to use them in adaptive ways, that it becomes conceptually possible to account for both successful and unsuccessful pacing outcomes on both an intra-individual and inter-individual basis.…”

“…A second, between-subjects approach, has been to compare the pacing strategies of different groups of athletes, for ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENT 34 instance by gender [7][8][9], successfulness [9][10][11] or experience [12,13]. The third approach to prescriptive pacing research uses a within-subjects approach whereby the impact of different pacing strategies is tested by repeating a performance with either all or part of the pacing strategy manipulated [14,15].…”

“…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]. Not surprisingly, perceived exertion plays a central role, and constitutes the main conscious component of these [6,9] and other pacing models [8,[12][13][14]. Hence, the key point of disagreement between the models is not the inclusion of conscious processes, but rather the extent to which such processes are responsible for muscle recruitment and pacing behaviour.…”

To lead or not to lead: analysis of the sprint in track cycling

“…See for example Craig and Norton (2001) and Atkinson et al (2003). Optimal pacing strategies have been investigated using such factors (Atkinson et al, 2007;de Koning et al, 2011;Thomas et al, 2012). However, to the authors' knowledge no research has developed probabilistic models to investigate how tactics, such as choice of position and choice of overtaking manoeuvre, affect the probabilities of winning for the riders.…”