Logo image
Back
Pacing strategies during the swim, cycle and run disciplines of sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman triathlons
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Pacing strategies during the swim, cycle and run disciplines of sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman triathlons

S.S.X. Wu, J.J. Peiffer, J. Brisswalter, K. Nosaka, W.Y. Lau and C.R. Abbiss
European Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol.115(5), pp.1147-1154
2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3096-2
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

Purpose This study investigated the influence of distance on self-selected pacing during the swim, cycle and run disciplines of sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman (HIM) distance triathlon races. Method Eight trained male triathletes performed the three individual races in <2 months. Participants’ bikes were fitted with Schoberer Rad Meßtechnik to monitor speed, power output and heart rate during the cycle discipline. Global positioning system was worn to determine speed and heart rate during the swim and run disciplines. Result An even swim pacing strategy was adopted across all distances. A more stochastic pacing was observed during the HIM cycle [standard deviation of exposure variation analysis (EVASD) = 3.21 ± 0.61] when compared with the sprint cycle discipline (EVASD = 3.84 ± 0.44, p = 0.018). Only 20.9 ± 4.1 % of the cycling time was spent more than 10 % above the mean power output in the HIM, compared with 43.8 ± 2.9 % (p = 0.002) and 37.7 ± 11.1 % (p = 0.039) during the sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, respectively. Conversely, 13.6 ± 5.1 % of the cycling time was spent 5–10 % below the mean power output during the HIM, compared with 5.9 ± 1.2 % (p = 0.034) and 8.0 ± 5.1 % (p = 0.045) during the sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, respectively. A negative pacing strategy was adopted during the sprint distance run, compared with positive pacing strategy during the Olympic and HIM. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that pacing strategies during triathlon are highly influenced by distance and discipline, and highlight the importance of developing pacing strategies based on distance, strengths and individual fitness.

Details

Metrics

32 Record Views
36 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.172 Sports Science
1.172.648 Exercise Physiology
Web Of Science research areas
Physiology
Sport Sciences
ESI research areas
Clinical Medicine
Logo image