Pacing strategy of master athletes during a half marathon

Aim: Important factors in the regulation of pacing are the sensation of fatigue experienced at a certain point of the race, the perceived exertion (RPE) expected at that time point integrated with the time remaining to complete the task (1). The aim of the study was to monitor pacing adopted by master runners during a Half Marathon dividing the sample according to their predicted time (correct, faster, slower). Methods: 100 master endurance runners filled in a training history questionnaire and completed a profile of mood state (POMS) before and after the race. Athletes were monitored during a Half Marathon and were instructed to rate their RPE every 7 km. Pacing is presented as percent difference compared to average running speed. The Hazard Score (HS) was calculated (2) as the product of the momentary RPE and the remaining fraction of the event. Differences in speed, HS and POMS between and within groups was calculated by a 2 way ANOVA (p<0.05). Results: Pacing adopted during the race was even in the faster group while the slower and the correct groups adopted a positive pacing with a significant decrease in speed from 7th to the 21st km respectively of 10.2% and 3.9%. The correct and slower groups showed a HS higher than 3 (possibly predicting their decrease in speed), while the faster group showed a HS between 1 and 3. RPE increased significantly during the race in all three groups, while no difference between groups was observed. POMS showed a significant increase in fatigue and a decrease in tension and depression comparing PRE and POST. Conclusions: The HS divided into three groups seems to confirm previous laboratory results (2). Although RPE was not significant between groups, the faster group showed lower values at the 7th and 14th km compared to the other groups. References: 1. Roelands B, de Koning J Foster C, Hettinga, F, Meeusen R. Neurophysiological Determinants of Theoretical Concepts and Mechanisms Involved in Pacing. Sports Med 2013 43(5):301-11 2. de Koning JJ, Foster C, Bakkum A, Kloppenburg S, Thiel C, Joseph T, Cohen J. & Porcari J.P. Regulation of pacing strategy during athletic competition. PLoSONE 2011; 6(1) : e15863.