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The influence of performance level, age and gender on pacing strategy during a 100-km ultramarathon
- Source :
- Print: 1746-1391
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of performance level, age and gender on pacing during a 100-km ultramarathon. Results of a 100-km race incorporating the World Masters Championships were used to identify differences in relative speeds in each 10-km segment between participants finishing in the first, second, third and fourth quartiles of overall positions (Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Similar analyses were performed between the top and bottom 50% of finishers in each age category, as well as within male and female categories. Pacing varied between athletes achieving different absolute performance levels. Group 1 ran at significantly lower relative speeds than all other groups in the first three 10-km segments (all P < 0.01), and significantly higher relative speeds than Group 4 in the 6th and 10th (both P < 0.01), and Group 2 in the 8th (P = 0.04). Group 4 displayed significantly higher relative speeds than Group 2 and 3 in the first three segments (all P < 0.01). Overall strategies remained consistent across age categories, although a similar phenomenon was observed within each category whereby ‘top’ competitors displayed lower relative speeds than ‘bottom’ competitors in the early stages, but higher relative speeds in the later stages. Females showed lower relative starting speeds and higher finishing speeds than males. ‘Top’ and ‘bottom’ finishing males displayed differing strategies, but this was not the case within females. Although pacing remained consistent across age categories, it differed with level of performance within each, possibly suggesting strategies are anchored on direct competitors. Strategy differs between genders and differs depending on performance level achieved in males but not females.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Competitive Behavior
Time Factors
Age categories
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Biology
Athletic Performance
Q1
Running
Age and gender
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Sex Factors
Humans
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Communication
business.industry
Age Factors
030229 sport sciences
General Medicine
Middle Aged
QP
Quartile
Athletes
Physical Endurance
Female
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Demography
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15367290
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European journal of sport science
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....ae015b9fd93d7c7b1ccc64f2678f0e42