The Value of Meteorological Data in Optimizing the Pattern of Physical Load—A Forecast Model of Rowing Pacing Strategy

Mastering the information of arena environment is the premise for athletes to optimize their patterns of physical load. Therefore, improving the forecast accuracy of the arena conditions is an urgent task in competitive sports. This paper excavates the meteorological features that have great influence on outdoor events such as rowing and their influence on the pacing strategy. We selected the meteorological data of Tokyo from 1979 to 2020 to forecast the meteorology during the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, analyzed the athletes’ pacing choice under different temperatures, humidity and sports levels, and then recommend the best pacing strategy for rowing teams of China. The model proposed in this paper complements the absence of meteorological features in the arena environment assessment and provides an algorithm basis for improving the forecast performance of pacing strategies in outdoor sports.

World and European Rowing Medallists Pace With Smaller Variation Than Their Competitors

Purpose: To establish the relation between pacing pattern and performance, within sex, and number of crew members, at the very highest performance level in World class rowing.Methods: Pacing profiles based on official 500 m split times in 106 A-finals with six contesting boat crews (n = 636 crews), in recent World (2017–2019) and European (2017–2021) championships, were analyzed. The coefficient of variation (CV) and sum of relative differences (SRD) of the split times, and normalized velocities in the four segments of the race, were compared between performance levels, that is, placement (1st–6th), and subgroups based on sex (female or male) and number of crew members (one, two, or four). Statistical tests and resulting p-values and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were used to assess differences between groups.Results: The pacing profiles of the medallists had smaller variation than those of the non-podium finishers (CV = 1.72% vs. CV = 2.00%; p = 4 × 10−7, d = 0.41). Compared to the non-podium finishers, the medallists had lower normalized velocities in the first and second segments of the race, slightly higher in the third segment and higher in the fourth segment. Female crews paced somewhat more evenly than male crews. No significant differences were found in the evenness of pacing profiles between singles, doubles/pairs and quads/fours. Analyses of SRD were overall consistent with analyses of CV.Conclusion: Medal winners in major rowing championships use a more even pacing strategy than their final competitors, which could imply that such a strategy is advantageous in rowing.

Pacing Profiles of Middle-Distance Running World Records in Men and Women

The aims of the current study were to compare the pacing patterns of all-time 800 m, 1500 m and mile running world records (WRs) and to determine whether differences exist between sexes, and if 800 m and 1500 m WRs were broken during championship or meet races. Overall and lap times for men and women’s 800 m, 1500 m, and mile WRs from World Athletics were collected when available and subsequently compared. A fast initial 200 m segment and a decrease in speed throughout was found during 800 m WRs. Accordingly, the first 200 m and 400 m were faster than the last 200 m and 400 m, respectively (p < 0.001, 0.77 ≤ ES ≤ 1.86). The first 400 m and 409 m for 1500 m and mile WRs, respectively, were faster than the second lap (p < 0.001, 0.74 ≤ ES ≤ 1.46). The third 400 m lap was slower than the last 300 m lap and 400 m lap for 1500 m and mile WRs, respectively (p < 0.001, 0.48 ≤ ES ≤ 1.09). No relevant sex-based differences in pacing strategy were found in any event. However, the first 409 m lap was faster than the last 400 m lap for men but not for women during mile WRs. Women achieved a greater % of WRs than men during championships (80% vs. 45.83% in the 800 m, and 63.63% vs. 31.58% in the 1500 m, respectively). In conclusion, positive, reverse J-shaped and U-shaped pacing profiles were used to break 800 m, men’s mile and 1500 m, and women’s mile WRs, respectively. WRs are more prone to be broken during championships by women than men.

Functional Threshold Power Estimated from a 20-minute Time-trial Test is Warm-up-dependent

This study investigated the influence of different warm-up protocols on functional threshold power. Twenty-one trained cyclists (˙VO2max=60.2±6.8 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed an incremental test and four 20-min time trials preceded by different warm-up protocols. Two warm-up protocols lasted 45 min, with a 5-min time trial performed either 15 min (Traditional) or 25 min (Reverse) before the 20-min time trial. The other two warm-up protocols lasted 25 min (High Revolutions-per minute) and 10 min (Self-selected), including three fast accelerations and self-selected intensity, respectively. The power outputs achieved during the 20-min time trial preceded by the Traditional and Reverse warm-up protocols were significantly lower than the High Revolutions-per-minute and Self-selected protocols (256±30; 257±30; 270±30; 270±30 W, respectively). Participants chose a conservative pacing strategy at the onset (negative) for the Traditional and Reverse but implemented a fast-start strategy (U-shaped) for the High revolutions-per-minute and Self-selected warm-up protocols. In conclusion, 20-min time-trial performance and pacing are affected by different warm-ups. Consequently, the resultant functional threshold power may be different depending on whether the original protocol with a 5-min time trial is followed or not.

Interaction of exercise bioenergetics with pacing behavior predicts track distance running performance

The best possible finishing time for a runner competing in distance track events can be estimated from their critical speed (CS) and the finite amount of energy that can be expended above CS (D'). During tactical races with variable pacing, the runner with the 'best' combination of CS and D' and, therefore, the fastest estimated finishing time prior to the race, does not always win. We hypothesized that final race finishing positions depend on the relationships between the pacing strategy employed, the athletes' initial CS, and their instantaneous D' (i.e., D' balance) as the race unfolds. Using publicly available data from the 2017 IAAF World Championships men's 5,000 m and 10,000 m races, race speed, CS, and D' balance were calculated. The correlation between D' balance and actual finishing positions was non-significant utilizing start-line values but improved to R2 > 0.90 as both races progressed. The D' balance with 400 m remaining was strongly associated with both final 400 m split time and proximity to the winner. Athletes who exhausted their D' were unable to hold pace with the leaders, whereas a high D´ remaining enabled a fast final 400 m and a high finishing position. The D' balance model was able to accurately predict finishing positions in both a 'slow' 5,000 m and a 'fast' 10,000 m race. These results indicate that while CS and D' can characterize an athlete's performance capabilities prior to the start, the pacing strategy that optimizes D' utilization significantly impacts final race outcome.

The Effect of Squad Rotation on Physical Activity at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Analysis the Most Exploited Players of the 4 Best Teams

The purpose of this study was to examine how the four best teams in the 2018 Football Men's World Cup rotate by squad and how this impact the physical activity of the teams in consecutive rounds. The study sample consisted of the 31 players of the 4 best teams, who played in every tournament match, except for the third game of the group stage. The analysis included 186 observations and was carried out on the most exploited players (MEP) excluding goalkeepers, who played at least 450 mins (5 full matches) in the tournament. The analysis was conducted using data collected by an advanced motion analysis system known as STATS®. The selected physical activity parameters analyzed included: total distance covered (m/min), distance covered at various intensity ranges (m/min), top speed (km/h), and number of sprints performed. It was found that all four teams in the third match of the group stage have performed the largest number of rotations with most exploited players and introduced the highest number of rested players (7.75 ± 2.06). A significant increase was observed between the second and fourth match in the 0–7 km/h distance covered (37.99 ± 3.19–39.23 ± 3.35 m/min) and the top speed (28.12 ± 2.22–29.21 ± 2.64 km/h)—p &lt; 0.05. Furthermore, MEPs in the knockout stage, used pacing strategies by increasing the amount of low-intensity running to maintain high intensity during the game. From a practical point of view, this investigation shows that squad rotation can be a valuable support to a pacing strategy by players.

Effect of Unaware Clock Manipulation on Pacing Strategy and Performance in Recreational Athletes

It is unclear how athletes regulate their performance prior and during exercise when deceptive methods are applied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test if time manipulation can influence pacing strategy and running performance. Ten recreationally active subjects were informed they would complete four 60-min time trials only with time feedback. The first session was a familiarization trial (60-min), and in the following three sessions, the time feedback was modified: normal chronometer (NC—60 min.), 10% faster (Faster chronometer—FC—54 min.), and 10% slower (slower chronometer—SC—66 min.). Total distance was different between conditions, while average of total speed, Heart Rate, oxygen consumption, and Rate of Perceived Exertion were similar (p > 0.05). A slow start pacing strategy was adopted in all conditions and did not differ between conditions when averaged across the session; however, when analyzing the first and final 10 min of the session, differences were found between conditions. Finally, the observed time was an important determinant of the regulation of exercise intensity, because, although the pacing strategy adopted in all conditions was regulated according to previous exercise information, adjustments were made in the initial (NC) and final (FC) phases of the trials.

Influence of the Cyclist’s Characteristics on the Optimal Pacing Strategy for an Ascending Road

Pacing strategies are used in cycling to optimize the power delivered by the cyclist during a race. Gains in race time have been obtained when using these strategies compared to self-paced approaches. For this reason, this study is focused on revising the effect that the variation of the cyclist’s parameters has on the pacing strategy and its results. A numeric method was used to propose pacing strategies for a cyclist riding on an ascending 3.7 km route with a constant 6.26% road grade. The method was validated and then implemented to study the effect of aerobic and anaerobic power delivery capacity, mass, and drag area on the pacing strategies and their corresponding estimated race times. The results showed that modifying 1% of the aerobic capacity or cyclist mass value led to a change of 1% on the race time. Modifying 1% the anaerobic capacity and the drag area led to changes of 0.03% and 0.02% on the race time, respectively. These results are strongly dependent on the route characteristics. It was concluded that for the studied route (constantly ascending), the variation of the cyclist’s aerobic capacity influences the pacing strategy (i.e., the power delivery over the distance). The anaerobic capacity and mass of the cyclist also influence the pacing strategy to a lesser extent.