Week 10 Key Reading - Abbiss & Laursen (2008)

Question 1

What would be the purpose of adopting a negative pacing strategy, and what events typically use this ?

Answer 1

Improve prolonged exercise performance:

• By reducing the rate of carbohydrate depletion,
• Lowering excessive oxygen consumption (V̇O2)
• Limiting accumulation of fatigue-related metabolites (i.e. inorganic phosphate, potassium and hydrogen ions) early on in the exercise task
• Typical in middle distance races where there this a component of a sprint finish that may last over 200M, such as the 800 - 3000M

Question 2

What would be the purpose of adopting a positive pacing strategy, and what evens typically use this ?

Answer 2

Significantly greater fractional peak V̇O2 during the event.

relative time spent accelerating

Question 3

Give an example of a parabolic shaped exercise event, why it would be used ?

Answer 3

A race where the athlete completes the first third quickly, slows the middle third but then speed up again for the final third.

increase in motor unit recruitment so the second increase in performance may be able to recruitment more fibres and be performed at a higher rate, almost like the O2 uptake increase with all out or positive but on a Neuro-muscular level.

Question 4

Why is all out pacing useful and what events use this ?

Answer 4

Useful because

• Allows better O2 uptake mechanics.
• Because energy cost to overcome inertia is higher, more relevant to use this energy at the beginning of a race.
• Lower loss in kinetic energy because of slower finishing speed.

Best used in even lasting under 1 minute or as a starting 15 seconds max in event lasting up to 5 minutes.

Question 5

How is pace decided upon and what regulates it ?

Answer 5

The regulation of pace is thought to be primarily dictated by the ability of an athlete to resist fatigue;

One of the more influential factors dictating self-selected exercise intensity and optimal pacing strategy during varying exercise tasks is the rate and capacity limitations of various physiological systems (i.e. anaerobic and aerobic supply).

Exercise intensity may be centrally controlled in order to preserve and protect physiological homeostasis.

Question 6

What is a variable pacing strategy and why would it be beneficial ?

Answer 6

Variable pacing is lots of adjustments in pace throughout an exercise bought that may be caused either in response to competitors or as a result of the environment.

It can be beneficial because if used tactically it can work to keep the average pace of the race higher overall. For example cycling faster/ using more effort when going uphill or into a headwind.

Question 7

Purpose of adopting an even pacing strategy ?

Answer 7

Staying closer to the optimal target pace overall
ensure that power or energy reserves are not wasted prior to sprint finish, such as using a all out of positive start may result in.