Pacing strategy in a 24-hour ultramarathon race. (1st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takayama, Fuminori; Aoyagi, Atsushi; Nabekura, Yoshiharu
• Is Part Of: International journal of performance analysis in sport. Volume 16:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 498
• Page End: 507
• Publication Date: 2016-08-01
• Subjects: Ultra-endurance -- Distance running -- Regulation; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.015
• DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2016.11868904
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-8668

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of this study is to examine pacing among the runners in a 24-hour ultramarathon. The performances of 48 male runners who ran more than 161 km in a 24-hour ultramarathon race were analyzed. The runners were divided into five groups according to their finish in the race (Group A: 1 st -10 th, Group B: 11 th -20 th, Group C: 21 th -30 th, Group D: 31 th -40 th, and Group E: 40th -48th ). Total distance run, absolute and normalized running speed for each one-hour interval, and a coefficient of variation (CV) for hourly speeds were calculated. The average 24 -hour distance within the various groups ranged from 236.38 km (SD = 11.41 km) for Group A to 164.14 km (SD = 2.49 km) for Group E. Average group CV ranged from 14.3% (SD = 4.3%) for group A to 45.0% (SD = 16.6%) for Group E. Group A runners ran at a relatively constant speed (> 8km/hour) during the second half of the race, whereas the corresponding pace was slower (< 6 km/hour) for groups C through E. CV moderately correlated with total distance run (r = -0.682, p < 0.001). In conclusion, in a 24-hour ultramarathon race, successful performance by the faster runners is achieved with less variation in speed.