Pacing strategy in simulated cycle time-trials is based on perceived rather than actual distance

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(01)80031-1Get rights and content

This study determined the pacing strategies and performance responses of six well-trained cyclists/triathletes (peak O2 uptake 66.4±3.7 ml·kg−1·min−10, mean±SD) during seven simulated time-trials (TT) conducted on a wind-braked cycle ergometer. All subjects first performed a 40 km familiarisation ride (TT1). They were then informed they would be riding a further four 40 km TT for the purpose of a reliability study. Instead, the actual distances ridden for the next three TT were a random order of 34 (TT2), 40 (TT3) and 46 km (TT4). The only feedback given to subjects during TT1–4 was the percentage distance of that ride remaining. During a further 40 km TT (TT5) subjects were allowed to view their heart rate (HR) responses throughout the ride. Despite the significantly different performance times across the three distances (47:23±4:23 vs 55:57±3:24 vs 65:41±3:56 min for the 34, 40 and 46 km respectively, P<0.001), average power output (296±48 vs 294±48 vs 286±40 W) and HR (173±11 vs 174±12 vs 173±12 beats·min−1) were similar. The true nature of the first part of the study was then revealed to subjects who subsequently completed an additional 34 km and 46 km TT (TT6–7) in which the actual and perceived distance ridden was the same. Power output and HR responses were similar for both unknown (TT2 and TT6) and known (TT4 and TT7) rides for both distances: 296±48 vs 300±55 W and 173±11 vs 177±11 beats•min−1 (34 km) and 286±40 vs 273±42 W and 173±12 vs 174±12 beats·min−1 (46 km). In conclusion, well-trained cyclists rode at similar power outputs and HR during time trials they perceived to be the same distance, but which varied in actual distance from 34 to 46 km.

References (13)

  • American College of Sports Medicine

    Policy statement regarding the use of human subjects and informed consent

    (2000)
  • BorgG.A.

    Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion

    Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

    (1982)
  • CoyleE.F. et al.

    Blood lactate threshold in some well-trained ischemic heart disease patients

    Journal of Applied Physiology

    (1983)
  • FlynnM.G. et al.

    Influence of selected carbohydrate drinks on cycling performance and glycogen use

    Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

    (1987)
  • FosterC.A. et al.

    Effect of pacing strategy on cycle time trial performance

    Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

    (1993)
  • GilmanM.B.

    The use of heart rate to monitor the intensity of endurance training

    Sports Medicine

    (1996)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (43)

  • Deception has no acute or residual effect on cycling time trial performance but negatively effects perceptual responses

    2016, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
    Citation Excerpt :

    Therefore, by manipulating the performance feedback that athletes receive, the importance of these expectations can be examined.5 Previous deception studies have demonstrated that pacing strategy and performance are largely unaffected by the provision of incorrect performance feedback during self-paced cycling time trials (TT).6,7 As feedback is most influential when it is attended to and evaluated in respect to salient self-goals8, the type of feedback manipulated may have limited the effectiveness of the deceptive interventions.

  • Deception by manipulating the clock calibration influences cycle ergometer endurance time in males

    2009, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
    Citation Excerpt :

    In fact, athletes often determine their degree of effort according to a pace perceived to be appropriate for their goal. A pacing strategy based on perception of the task involved is one such example, investigated by Nikolopoulos et al.11 It was found that when informed only of the % of the distances covered, cyclists rode at similar speeds and similar heart rates when riding time trials at different distances that they believed to all be the same. When, in another set of rides, they were informed of the actual distances to be covered, speeds and heart rates were lower for longer distances, and vice versa.

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text