title: Pacing strategies during the swim, cycle and run disciplines of sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman triathlons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the influence of distance on self-selected pacing during the swim, cycle and run disciplines of sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman (HIM) distance triathlon races.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight trained male triathletes performed the three individual races in <2 months. Participants' bikes were fitted with Schoberer Rad Meßtechnik to monitor speed, power output and heart rate during the cycle discipline. Global positioning system was worn to determine speed and heart rate during the swim and run disciplines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An even swim pacing strategy was adopted across all distances. A more stochastic pacing was observed during the HIM cycle [standard deviation of exposure variation analysis (EVASD) = 3.21 ± 0.61] when compared with the sprint cycle discipline (EVASD = 3.84 ± 0.44, p = 0.018). Only 20.9 ± 4.1 % of the cycling time was spent more than 10 % above the mean power output in the HIM, compared with 43.8 ± 2.9 % (p = 0.002) and 37.7 ± 11.1 % (p = 0.039) during the sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, respectively. Conversely, 13.6 ± 5.1 % of the cycling time was spent 5-10 % below the mean power output during the HIM, compared with 5.9 ± 1.2 % (p = 0.034) and 8.0 ± 5.1 % (p = 0.045) during the sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, respectively. A negative pacing strategy was adopted during the sprint distance run, compared with positive pacing strategy during the Olympic and HIM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study suggest that pacing strategies during triathlon are highly influenced by distance and discipline, and highlight the importance of developing pacing strategies based on distance, strengths and individual fitness.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research, School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, Australia, samwusx@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sam Shi Xuan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jeremiah J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Peiffer
authors.forename: Jeanick
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brisswalter
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nosaka
authors.forename: Wing Yin
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Chris R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Abbiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*