title: The impact of different pacing strategies on five-kilometer running time trial performance.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal 1.63-km (1-mile) pacing strategy for 5-km running performance in moderately trained women distance runners. Eleven women distance runners (20.7 +/- 0.8 years, 163.8 +/- 2.0 cm, 57.0 +/- 2.2 kg, 51.7 +/- 1.0 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), 18.9 +/- 0.8% fat, 78.1 +/- 1.4% VO(2)max at lactate threshold) performed 2 preliminary 5-km time trials on a treadmill to establish baseline 5-km times. The average 1.63-km split pace of the fastest preliminary trial was manipulated for the first 1.63 km of the experimental trials and run either equal to (EVEN), 3% faster than (3%), or 6% faster than (6%) the current baseline average 1.63-km pace for each subject. Ventilation (V(E)), oxygen consumption VO(2)max )), respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate were measured continuously. Overall 5-km times were not different (p > 0.05) for the EVEN, 3% and 6% trials finishing in 21:11 (minutes/seconds) +/- 29 seconds, 20:52 +/- 36 seconds and 20:39 +/- 29 seconds, respectively. The fastest time for 8 subjects resulted from the 6% trial and the other 3 subjects' fastest times resulted from the 3% trial. The overall exercise intensity (%VO(2)max , %VO(2)max above lactate threshold, V(E), and respiratory exchange ratio) of the first 1.63-km split was not different between the 3 and 6% trials, despite the 6% trial being 13 seconds faster than the 3% trial. Based on these findings, initial 1.63-km starting paces of a 5-km race can be 3 to 6% greater than current average race pace without negatively impacting performance. In order to optimize 5-km performance, runners should start the initial 1.63 km of a 5-km race at paces 3-6% greater than their current average race pace.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gosztyla
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kenefick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates