title: Pacing Strategy in Short Cycling Time Trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To reach top performance in cycling, optimizing distribution of energy resources is crucial. The purpose of this study was to investigate power output during 250-m, 500-m, and 1000-m cycling time trials and the characteristics of the adopted pacing strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine trained cyclists completed an incremental test and 3 time trials that they were instructed to finish as quickly as possible. Preceding the trials, peak power during short sprints (PP sprint) and gross efficiency (GE) were measured. During the trials, power output and oxygen consumption were measured to calculate the contribution of the aerobic and anaerobic energy sources. After the trial GE was measured again.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peak power during all trials (PPTT) was lower than PP sprint. In the 250-m trial the PPTT was higher in the 1000-m trial (P = .008). The subjects performed a significantly longer time at high intensity in the 250-m than in the 1000-m (P = .029). GE declined significantly during all trials (P < .01). Total anaerobically attributable work was less in the 250-m than in the 500-m (P = .015) and 1000-m (P < .01) trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall pacing pattern in the 250-m trial appears to follow an all-out strategy, although peak power is still lower than the potential maximal power output. This suggests that a true all-out pattern of power output may not be used in fixed-distance events. The 500-m and 1000-m had a more conservative pacing pattern and anaerobic power output reached a constant magnitude.
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Inst Amsterdam, VU University-Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van der Meijden
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamby
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suckow
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.forename: Jos J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: de Koning
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D004526:Efficiency / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors