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Pacing strategy during the initial phase of the run in triathlon: influence on overall performance

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the best pacing strategy to adopt during the initial phase of a short distance triathlon run for highly trained triathletes. Ten highly trained male triathletes completed an incremental running test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, a 10-km control run at free pace and three individual time-trial triathlons (1.5-km swimming, 40-km cycling, 10-km running) in a randomised order. Swimming and cycling speeds were imposed as identical to the first triathlon performed and the first run kilometre was done alternatively 5% faster (Tri-Run+5%), 5% slower (Tri-Run−5%) and 10% slower (Tri-Run−10%) than the control run (C-Run). The subjects were instructed to finish the 9 remaining kilometres as quickly as possible at a free self-pace. Tri-Run−5% resulted in a significantly faster overall 10-km performance than Tri-Run+5% and Tri-Run−10% (p < 0.05) but no significant difference was observed with C-Run (p > 0.05) (2,028 ± 78 s vs. 2,000 ± 72 s, 2,178 ± 121 s and 2,087 ± 88 s, for Tri-Run−5%, C-Run, Tri-Run+5% and Tri-Run−10%, respectively). Tri-Run+5% strategy elicited higher values for oxygen uptake, ventilation, heart rate and blood lactate at the end of the first kilometre than the three other conditions. After 5 and 9.5 km, these values were higher for Tri-Run−5% (p < 0.05). The present results showed that the running speed achieved during the cycle-to-run transition is crucial for the improvement of the running phase as a whole. Triathletes would benefit to automate a pace 5% slower than their 10-km control running speed as both 5% faster and 10% slower running speeds over the first kilometre involved weaker overall performances.

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Acknowledgments

This study was made possible by technical support from the French National Institute of Sport and Physical Education, the French Federation of Triathlon and the Universities of South Toulon-Var and Nice-Sophia Antipolis. The authors are especially grateful to the athletes and coaches for their help and cooperation. They also gratefully acknowledge Jessica Harrison for her help in the correction of this manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biomechanics and Physiology, Research Department, National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), 11 Avenue du Tremblay, 75012, Paris, France

    Christophe Hausswirth, Yann Le Meur & Francois Bieuzen

  2. Laboratory of Physiological Adaptations, Motor Performance and Health (EA 3837), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, BP 32 59, 06205, Nice Cedex 03, France

    Yann Le Meur & Jeanick Brisswalter

  3. Sport Ergonomy and Performance Laboratory, HANDIBIO EA 3162, University of Sud Toulon-Var, BP 132, 83957, La Garde Cedex, France

    Thierry Bernard

Authors
  1. Christophe Hausswirth
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  2. Yann Le Meur
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  3. Francois Bieuzen
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  4. Jeanick Brisswalter
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  5. Thierry Bernard
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Correspondence to Christophe Hausswirth.

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Communicated by Klaas Westerterp.

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Hausswirth, C., Le Meur, Y., Bieuzen, F. et al. Pacing strategy during the initial phase of the run in triathlon: influence on overall performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 108, 1115–1123 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1322-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1322-0

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