Road Cycling Climbs Made Speedier by Personalized Pacing Strategies

It has been shown theoretically that performance can be enhanced by varying power in parallel with variable ambient conditions. However, no theoretical model has considered aerobic substrate utilization dynamics, limited carbohydrate stores, force–velocity relationships, and proper efficiency modelling. Furthermore, no study has investigated optimal pacing for courses with continuously variable ambient wind directions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a model for the optimization of pacing strategies in road cycling with an updated bioenergetic model. The purpose of this model was to optimize pacing strategies for courses with continuously variable wind directions on both short (2 km) and long (100 km) courses. For this purpose, a numerical model consisting of three sub-models was programmed into the MATLAB software. This model consisted of one mechanical simulation model for cycling locomotion, one bioenergetic model based on the Margaria–Morton–Sundström model, and the method of moving asymptotes for optimization of the pacing strategy. Results showed that by optimizing the pacing strategies, time gains of 4.9% and 5.7% were attained for the 2-km courses with and without an ambient wind of 5 m·s−1, respectively. The corresponding time gains for the 100-km courses were 1.4% and 2.0% with and without ambient wind, respectively. The theoretical model in this study further resulted in all-out strategies for the flat 2-km courses with and without ambient wind. Moreover, the 100-km course without wind was met with a positive pacing strategy and the 100-km course with ambient wind was met with a compromise of positive pacing and variable power distribution in parallel with the variable ambient wind conditions. In conclusion, the model presented in this study performed more detailed bioenergetic simulations than previous pacing strategy optimization studies, and this resulted in more detailed pacing strategies for long courses.

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Distribution of Power Output When Establishing a Breakaway in Cycling

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.8.4.452 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 452-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Chris R. Abbiss ◽

Paolo Menaspà ◽

Vincent Villerius ◽

David T. Martin

Keyword(s):

Short Duration ◽

Significant Influence ◽

Power Output ◽

High Intensity ◽

Performance Tests ◽

Stochastic Nature ◽

Road Cycling ◽

Pacing Strategies ◽

Road Racing ◽

Distribution Of Power

A number of laboratory-based performance tests have been designed to mimic the dynamic and stochastic nature of road cycling. However, the distribution of power output and thus physical demands of high-intensity surges performed to establish a breakaway during actual competitive road cycling are unclear. Review of data from professional road-cycling events has indicated that numerous short-duration (5–15 s), high-intensity (~9.5–14 W/kg) surges are typically observed in the 5–10 min before athletes’ establishing a breakaway (ie, riding away from a group of cyclists). After this initial high-intensity effort, power output declined but remained high (~450–500 W) for a further 30 s to 5 min, depending on race dynamics (ie, the response of the chase group). Due to the significant influence competitors have on pacing strategies, it is difficult for laboratory-based performance tests to precisely replicate this aspect of mass-start competitive road cycling. Further research examining the distribution of power output during competitive road racing is needed to refine laboratory-based simulated stochastic performance trials and better understand the factors important to the success of a breakaway.

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Body balance in a free-standing position in road and off-road cyclists

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity ◽

10.2478/bjha-2014-0022 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paulina Hebisz ◽

Rafal Hebisz ◽

Marek Zaton

Keyword(s):

Sagittal Plane ◽

Standing Position ◽

The Body ◽

Free Standing ◽

Body Balance ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Road Cycling ◽

Progressive Exercise ◽

Before And After ◽

Road Cyclists

AbstractBackground: The purpose of this study was to compare body balance in road and off-road cyclists, immediately before and after the racing season.Material/Methods: Twenty individuals participated in the study and they were divided into two groups: specialists in road-cycling (n = 10) and in off-road cycling (n = 10). Immediately before and after the five-month racing season stabilographic trials were carried out (at rest and after progressive exercise). In assessing body balance the distance and velocity of the centre shifts (in the anterior-posterior and left-right direction) were analysed. The tests were performed with the cyclists’ eyes open, eyes closed, and in feedback.Results: After the racing season, in the off-road cyclists’ group, distance and velocity of the centre of pressure shifts increased after a progressive exercise.Conclusions: In the off-road cyclists’ group the balance of the body in the sagittal plane deteriorated after the racing season. Moreover, after the racing season off-road cyclists were characterized by a worse balance of the body, compared to road cyclists

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Sprint Track Cyclists and Road Cycling Training

Korean Journal of Sports Science ◽

10.35159/kjss.2020.06.29.3.1129 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 1129-1137

Author(s):

Jae-Ho Park ◽

Hee-Jae Kim ◽

Sok Park

Keyword(s):

Road Cycling ◽

Cycling Training

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Even Pacing Is Associated with Faster Finishing Times in Ultramarathon Distance Trail Running—The “Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc” 2008–2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17197074 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (19) ◽

pp. 7074 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Suter ◽

Caio Victor Sousa ◽

Lee Hill ◽

Volker Scheer ◽

Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Linear Model ◽

Performance Level ◽

Age Group ◽

Younger Age ◽

Pacing Strategies ◽

And Performance ◽

Group Sex ◽

The Impact ◽

Trail Running ◽

One Way Anova

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of investigations analyzing the effects of sex, performance level, and age on pacing in various running disciplines. However, little is known about the impact of those factors on pacing strategies in ultramarathon trail running. This study investigated the effects of age, sex, and performance level on pacing in the UTMB® (Ultra-trail du Mont Blanc) and aimed to verify previous findings obtained in the research on other running disciplines and other ultramarathon races. Data from the UTMB® from 2008 to 2019 for 13,829 race results (12,681 men and 1148 women) were analyzed. A general linear model (two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)) was applied to identify a sex, age group, and interaction effect in pace average and pace variation. A univariate model (one-way ANOVA) was used to identify a sex effect for age, pace average, and pace variation for the fastest men and women. In our study, pace average and a steadier pace were positively correlated. Even pacing throughout the UTMB® correlated with faster finishing times. The average pace depended significantly on sex and age group. When considering the top five athletes in each age group, sex and age group also had significant effects on pace variation. The fastest women were older than the fastest men, and the fastest men were faster than the fastest women. Women had a higher pace variation than men. In male competitors, younger age may be advantageous for a successful finish of the UTMB®. Faster male runners seemed to be younger in ultramarathon trail running with large changes in altitude when compared to other distances and terrains.

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Beta-alanine did not improve high-intensity performance throughout simulated road cycling

European Journal of Sport Science ◽

10.1080/17461391.2021.1940304 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-29

Author(s):

Pedro Perim ◽

Nathan Gobbi ◽

Breno Duarte ◽

Luana Farias de Oliveira ◽

Luiz Augusto Riani Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Beta Alanine ◽

Road Cycling

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Pacing Strategies of 1500 m Freestyle Swimmers in the World Championships According to Their Final Position

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18147559 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (14) ◽

pp. 7559

Author(s):

Beatriz Lara ◽

Juan Del Coso

Keyword(s):

Swimming Velocity ◽

Final Position ◽

Men And Women ◽

Elite Swimmers ◽

Pacing Strategies ◽

The World ◽

Total Data ◽

Fast Start ◽

Long Course ◽

Competitive Swimmers

In 1500 m freestyle swimming races, pacing is generally represented by a parabolic or U-shaped curve indicating that swimming velocity is greatest at the start and the last laps of the race while swimmers maintain an even pace through the middle section of the race. However, there is no information to determine if 1500 m race winners select pacing different to other, less successful swimmers within the same competition. Therefore, this investigation aimed to describe the pacing strategies adopted by 1500 m freestyle competitive swimmers in World Championships (long course), from 2003 to 2019 to determine the most effective pacing to obtain victory or a medal. The official overall and split times for 1500 m freestyle races of the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) were obtained from the website of this organization. In total, data of 143 swimming performances (71 male and 72 female) were extracted. With the split times, lap times, and position were calculated across the race. To determine differences in the pacing between best- and worst-ranked finalist, swimmers in each race were divided into four groups based on the final position (1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd vs. 4–8th). All the lap times of the winners of the race were faster than those of participants classified as 4–8th position for men and women races (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in lap velocity among the different positions achieved at the end of the race when it was normalized by average race velocity. Additionally, there were no differences in the lap-to-lap variability among swimmers with different positions at the end of the race. In summary, both men and women elite swimmers selected parabolic pacing consisting of a fast start in the first lap, an even pace close to their average race velocity in the mid-section of the race (from 50 to 1400 m), followed by an end spurt in the final lap(s). This pattern was very similar in all finalists irrespective of the final position in the race. Hence, the obtaining of a medal in the World Championships was associated to possessing a faster average race velocity rather than a specific pacing profile through the race.

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Effect of the Pacing Strategies on the Open-Water 10-km World Swimming Championships Performances

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2017-0274 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 694-700 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Luis Rodriguez ◽

Santiago Veiga

Keyword(s):

Open Water ◽

Public Domain ◽

Swimming Velocity ◽

The Public ◽

Pacing Strategies ◽

Race Performance

Purpose: To (1) compare the pacing strategies of different-level open-water swimmers during the 10-km race of the FINA 2015 Swimming World Championships and (2) relate these pacing strategies to the race performance. Methods: Final and intermediate split times, as well as intermediate race positions, from the 10-km race participants (69 men and 51 women) were collected from the public domain and were divided into 5 groups (G1–G5) depending on their finishing positions. Results: Medalists and finalists (G1 and G2, respectively) presented an even pacing profile with swimming velocities similar to those of the less successful swimmers (G3–G5) on the initial and middle stages of the race but a 1.5–3% increase in swimming velocity in the last quarter of the race. This acceleration toward the end of the race, or “end spurt,” was largely related to the race performance and was not observed in the G3 and G4 (even-paced profile) or G5 (positive pacing profile) groups. Intermediate race positions and lap rankings were negatively related to finishing position, indicating a delayed positioning of the most successful swimmers at 25%, 50%, and 75% of race distance. Conclusions: The adoption of a conservative starting strategy by open-water swimmers with a negative pacing profile and delayed partial positioning seems to increase the chances of overall race success, as it allows a fast end spurt that is closely related to successful finishing race positions.

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