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

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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.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

EVA:

Exposure variation analysis

EVASD :

Standard deviation of exposure variation analysis

GPS:

Global positioning system

HIM:

Half-Ironman

MAP:

Maximal aerobic power

PB:

Power band

rh:

Relative humidity

SRM:

Schoberer Rad Meßtechnik

TB:

Time band

VO2peak :

Peak oxygen uptake

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all who helped and participated in this study. At the time of this study, Sam SX Wu was the recipient of an Australian government funded Postgraduate Research Scholarship (Australian Postgraduate Award) and an additional University funded Scholarship (Edith Cowan University Research Excellence Award).

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest was declared for all authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research, School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, Australia

    Sam Shi Xuan Wu, Kazunori Nosaka, Wing Yin Lau & Chris R. Abbiss

  2. School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Jeremiah J. Peiffer

  3. Laboratory of Human Motricity, Education Sport and Health, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France

    Jeanick Brisswalter

Authors
  1. Sam Shi Xuan Wu
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  2. Jeremiah J. Peiffer
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  3. Jeanick Brisswalter
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  4. Kazunori Nosaka
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  5. Wing Yin Lau
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  6. Chris R. Abbiss
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sam Shi Xuan Wu.

Additional information

Communicated by Peter Krustrup.

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Wu, S.S.X., Peiffer, J.J., Brisswalter, J. et al. Pacing strategies during the swim, cycle and run disciplines of sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman triathlons. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1147–1154 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3096-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3096-2

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