title: Effects of training-induced fatigue on pacing patterns in 40-km cycling time trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In some endurance sports, athletes complete several competitions within a short period, resulting in accumulated fatigue. It is unclear whether fatigued athletes choose the same pacing pattern (PP) as when they have recovered.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to analyze effects of fatigue on PP of cyclists during a 40-km time trial (TT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three male cyclists (28.8 ± 7.6 yr) completed three 40-km TT on a cycle ergometer. TT were conducted before (TT1) and after (TT2) a 6-d training period. A third TT was carried out after 72 h of recovery (TT3). Training days consisted of two cycling sessions: mornings, 1 h at 95% of lactate threshold or 3 × 5 × 30 s all-out sprint; afternoons, 3 h at 80% individual anaerobic threshold. Four-kilometer split times (min) and RPE were recorded during TT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Performance decreased from TT1 to TT2 (65.7 ± 3.5 vs 66.7 ± 3.3 min; P < 0.05) and increased from TT2 to TT3 (66.7 ± 3.3 vs 65.5 ± 3.3 min; P < 0.01). PP showed a significant difference between TT1 and TT2 (P < 0.001) as well as between TT2 and TT3 (P < 0.01). PP in TT1 and TT3 showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In TT1 and TT3, cyclists started faster in the first 4 km compared with TT2. RPE course showed no significant difference between TT (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fatigue reversibly changes the PP of cyclists during a 40-km TT. Participants reduced their power output until premature exhaustion seemed very unlikely. This supports the assumption that pacing includes a combination of anticipation and feedback mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, GERMANY; 2Institute of Sports Science, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, GERMANY; 3Faculty of Sports Science, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, GERMANY; and 4School of Human Movement Studies and School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skorski
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hammes
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schwindling
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veith
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrauti
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kellmann
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012119:Respiration; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid