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Pace Controlled by a Steady-State Physiological Variable Is Associated with Better Performance in a 3000 M Run

Author

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  • Claire A. Molinari

    (Unité de Biologie Intégrative des Adaptations à l’Exercice, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
    BillaTraining SAS, 32 Rue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, 94140 Alforville, France)

  • Pierre Bresson

    (BillaTraining SAS, 32 Rue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, 94140 Alforville, France)

  • Florent Palacin

    (BillaTraining SAS, 32 Rue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, 94140 Alforville, France)

  • Véronique Billat

    (Unité de Biologie Intégrative des Adaptations à l’Exercice, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France)

Abstract

This paper aims to test the hypothesis whereby freely chosen running pace is less effective than pace controlled by a steady-state physiological variable. Methods Eight runners performed four maximum-effort 3000 m time trials on a running track. The first time trial (TT1) was freely paced. In the following 3000 m time trials, the pace was controlled so that the average speed (TT2), average V ˙ O 2 (TT3) or average HR (TT4) recorded in TT1 was maintained throughout the time trial. Results: Physiologically controlled pace was associated with a faster time (mean ± standard deviation: 740 ± 34 s for TT3 and 748 ± 33 s for TT4, vs. 854 ± 53 s for TT1; p < 0.01), a lower oxygen cost of running (200 ± 5 and 220 ± 3 vs. 310 ± 5 mLO 2 ·kg −1 ·km −1 , respectively; p < 0.02), a lower cardiac cost (0.69 ± 0.08 and 0.69 ± 0.04 vs. 0.86 ± 0.09 beat·m −1 , respectively; p < 0.01), and a more positively skewed speed distribution (skewness: 1.7 ± 0.9 and 1.3 ± 0.6 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Physiologically controlled pace (at the average V ˙ O 2 or HR recorded in a freely paced run) was associated with a faster time, a more favorable speed distribution and lower levels of physiological strain, relative to freely chosen pace. This finding suggests that non-elite runners do not spontaneously choose the best pace strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Claire A. Molinari & Pierre Bresson & Florent Palacin & Véronique Billat, 2021. "Pace Controlled by a Steady-State Physiological Variable Is Associated with Better Performance in a 3000 M Run," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7886-:d:601293
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Billat, Véronique & Carbillet, Thomas & Correa, Matthieu & Pycke, Jean-Renaud, 2019. "Detecting the marathon asymmetry with a statistical signature," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 515(C), pages 240-247.
    2. Billat, Véronique L. & Mille-Hamard, Laurence & Meyer, Yves & Wesfreid, Eva, 2009. "Detection of changes in the fractal scaling of heart rate and speed in a marathon race," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 388(18), pages 3798-3808.
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