title: Development of 1500-m Pacing Behavior in Junior Speed Skaters: A Longitudinal Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide insight on the development of pacing behavior in junior speed skaters and analyze possible differences between elite, subelite, and nonelite juniors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Season-best times (SBTs) in the 1500-m and corresponding pacing behavior were obtained longitudinally for 104 Dutch male speed skaters at age 13-14 (U15), 15-16 (U17), and 17-18 (U19) y. Based on their U19 SBT, skaters were divided into elite (n = 17), subelite (n = 64), and nonelite (n = 23) groups. Pacing behavior was analyzed using the 0- to 300-m, 300- to 700-m, 700- to 1100-m, and 1100- to 1500-m times, expressed as a percentage of final time. Mixed analyses of variance were used for statistical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With age, pacing behavior generally developed toward a slower 0- to 300-m and 1100- to 1500-m and a faster midsection relative to final time. While being faster on all sections, the elite were relatively slower on 0- to 300-m (22.1% ± 0.27%) than the subelite and nonelite (21.5% ± 0.44%) (P < .01) but relatively faster on 300- to 700-m (24.6% ± 0.30%) than the nonelite (24.9% ± 0.58%) (P = .002). On 700- to 1100-m, the elite and subelite (26.2% ± 0.25%) were relatively faster than the nonelite (26.5% ± 0.41%) (P = .008). Differences in the development of pacing behavior were found from U17 to U19, with relative 700- to 1100-m times decreasing for the elite and subelite (26.2% ± 0.31% to 26.1% ± 0.27%) but increasing for the nonelite (26.3% ± 0.29% to 26.5% ± 0.41%) (P = .014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maintaining high speed into 700 to 1100 m, accompanied by a relatively slower start, appears crucial for high performance in 1500-m speed skating. Generally, juniors develop toward this profile, with a more pronounced development toward a relatively faster 700- to 1100-m from U17 to U19 for elite junior speed skaters. The results of the current study indicate the relevance of pacing behavior for talent development.
authors.forename: Rikstje
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiersma
authors.forename: Inge K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Stoter
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Visscher
authors.forename: Florentina J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hettinga
authors.forename: Marije T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Elferink-Gemser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000639:trends; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012861:Skating / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: exercise performance; speed skating; talent development; talent identification; time trial