Pacing Profiles of Middle-Distance Running World Records in Men and Women.

Arturo Casado,Fernando González-Mohíno,Daniel Boullosa,José María González-Ravé

doi:10.3390/ijerph182312589

Abstract

The aims of the current study were to compare the pacing patterns of all-time 800 m, 1500 m and mile running world records (WRs) and to determine whether differences exist between sexes, and if 800 m and 1500 m WRs were broken during championship or meet races. Overall and lap times for men and women’s 800 m, 1500 m, and mile WRs from World Athletics were collected when available and subsequently compared. A fast initial 200 m segment and a decrease in speed throughout was found during 800 m WRs. Accordingly, the first 200 m and 400 m were faster than the last 200 m and 400 m, respectively (p < 0.001, 0.77 ≤ ES ≤ 1.86). The first 400 m and 409 m for 1500 m and mile WRs, respectively, were faster than the second lap (p < 0.001, 0.74 ≤ ES ≤ 1.46). The third 400 m lap was slower than the last 300 m lap and 400 m lap for 1500 m and mile WRs, respectively (p < 0.001, 0.48 ≤ ES ≤ 1.09). No relevant sex-based differences in pacing strategy were found in any event. However, the first 409 m lap was faster than the last 400 m lap for men but not for women during mile WRs. Women achieved a greater % of WRs than men during championships (80% vs. 45.83% in the 800 m, and 63.63% vs. 31.58% in the 1500 m, respectively). In conclusion, positive, reverse J-shaped and U-shaped pacing profiles were used to break 800 m, men’s mile and 1500 m, and women’s mile WRs, respectively. WRs are more prone to be broken during championships by women than men.

Highlights

Pacing, described as the work or effort distribution over a race, has been extensively studied over the last 40 years in endurance sports [1]
The aims of the current study were (1) to describe and compare the pacing profiles of all-time middle-distance running world records (WRs), (2) to verify whether differences exist between men and women, and (3) to determine whether 800 m and 1500 m WRs were broken during either championship or meet races
The aims of the current study were to describe and compare the pacing patterns of allThe aims of the current study were to describe and compare the pacing patterns of time 800 m, 1500 m and mile running WRs to determine if differences exist between sexes all-time 800 m, 1500 m and mile running WRs to determine if differences exist between and identify whether 800 m and 1500 m WRs were broken during either championship sexes and identify whether 800 m and 1500 m WRs were broken during either championor meet races

Summary

Introduction

Pacing, described as the work or effort distribution over a race, has been extensively studied over the last 40 years in endurance sports [1]. An even effort distribution would be the most optimal pacing strategy from an energetic point of view [7], but the accumulated evidence demonstrates that different pacing profiles can be observed mostly depending on the distance/duration of the race [8]. The analysis of pacing strategies of track running world records (WRs) is an excellent paradigm of study because they were used to achieve the most optimal and outstanding performances in history. These strategies may be considered by runners exhibiting lower performance and help them to improve it through a learning process. While cross-sectional data suggest a reduced variability of velocity with WRs improvements over different distances [7,9], a more recent analysis of WRs performed by the same athletes suggest that these individuals’ running performances can be improved without changes in

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