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Abstract

The study's purpose was to examine the influence of head-to-head (HH) competition on performance, pacing strategy, and bioenergetics during a 2000-m cycling task. Fourteen participants completed three 2000-m familiarization time trials (TTs) on a Velotron cycle ergometer, before completing an additional TT and a 2000-m simulated HH competition in a counterbalanced order. During the trials, a computer-generated image of the participants completing the 2000-m course was projected onto a screen positioned in front of the participants. Although participants believed they were competing against another individual during the HH competition, they were in fact competing against their best familiarization performance (FAM), replayed on the screen by the Velotron software. Performance was significantly faster in HH than in FAM or TT (184.6 ± 6.2, 187.7 ± 8.2, and 188.3 ± 9.5 s, respectively). Pacing profile in HH initially matched the FAM performance but was better maintained from 1000 m until the end of exercise. The higher power output during the latter part of the test was achieved by a greater anaerobic energy contribution, whereas the aerobic energy yield remained unchanged. HH competition encourages participants to increase their performance. This occurs primarily via an increased anaerobic energy yield, which seems to be centrally mediated, and is consistent with the concept of a physiologic reserve.

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An analysis of pacing strategies during men's world-record performances in track athletics.

Ross Tucker, Michael I. Lambert, Timothy Noakes (2006)

To analyze pacing strategies employed during men's world-record performances for 800-m, 5000-m, and 10,000-m races. In the 800-m event, lap times were analyzed for 26 world-record performances from 1912 to 1997. In the 5000-m and 10,000-m events, times for each kilometer were analyzed for 32 (1922 to 2004) and 34 (1921 to 2004) world records. The second lap in the 800-m event was significantly slower than the first lap (52.0 + or - 1.7 vs 54.4 + or - 4.9 seconds, P < .00005). In only 2 world records was the second lap faster than the first lap. In the 5000-m and 10,000-m events, the first and final kilometers were significantly faster than the middle kilometer intervals, resulting in an overall even pace with an end spurt at the end. The optimal pacing strategy during world-record performances differs for the 800-m event compared with the 5000-m and 10,000-m events. In the 800-m event, greater running speeds are achieved in the first lap, and the ability to increase running speed on the second lap is limited. In the 5000-m and 10,000-m events, an end spurt occurs because of the maintenance of a reserve during the middle part of the race. In all events, pacing strategy is regulated in a complex system that balances the demand for optimal performance with the requirement to defend homeostasis during exercise.

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Effect of competitive distance on energy expenditure during simulated competition.

J Lampen, J DeKoning, F Hettinga … (2004)

Concepts of how athletes should expend their aerobic and anaerobic energetic reserves are generally based on results of tests where an "all out" strategy is imposed on/required from the athlete. We sought to determine how athletes spontaneously expend their energetic reserves when the only instruction was to finish the event in minimal time, as in competition. Well trained, and task habituated, road cyclists (N = 14) completed randomly ordered laboratory time trials of 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m and 3000 m on a windload braked cycle ergometer. The pattern of aerobic and anaerobic energy use was calculated from total work accomplished and V.O (2) during the trials. The events were completed in 40.3 +/- 0.6 s, 87.4 +/- 4.1 s, 133.8 +/- 6.6 s and 296.0 +/- 7.2 s. The peak V.O (2) during the terminal 200 m of all events was similar (2.72 +/- 0.22, 3.01 +/- 0.34, 3.23 +/- 0.44 and 3.12 +/- 0.13 l x min (-1)). In all events, the initial power output and anaerobic energy use was high, and decreased to a more or less constant value over the remainder of the event. However, the subjects seemed to reserve some ability to expend energy anaerobically for a terminal acceleration which is contrary to predictions of an "all out" starting strategy. Although the total work accomplished increased with distance (23.14 +/- 4.24, 34.14 +/- 6.37, 43.54 +/- 6.12 and 78.22 +/- 8.28 kJ), the energy attributable to anaerobic sources was not significantly different between the rides (17.29 +/- 3.82, 18.68 +/- 8.51, 20.60 +/- 6.99 and 23.28 +/- 9.04 kJ). The results are consistent with the concept that athletes monitor their energetic resources and regulate their energetic output over time in a manner designed to optimize performance.