Pilot study of the effects of the pacing strategy of the cycling section on the running section of a sprint triathlon

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effect of two cycling intensities on a subsequent 3000m running performance in four well trained triathletes; both of them beginners and the other two experienced triathletes. Methods: Four triathletes completed a maximal cycling test, a maximal isolated 3000m running test and two cycle-run succession sessions. Running sections were the same in both cycle-run tests, 3000m, but the cycling section was different in each one; one of them was composed by 18km cycling at 90% of its maximum intensity, and the other 18km at 75%. Results: A significant effect of previous cycling exercise on continuous running was found both when maintained at 90% during the cycling sector and when maintained at 75%. The negative effects were similar in both veterans and novices when maintained at 90%; and the negative effects were heavier in novices when maintained at 75%. Conclusions: The results confirm the alteration in running performance completed after the cycling event compared with the isolated run. Moreover it could be suggested that these alterations depend on the intensity maintained during the cycling section and also on the experience of each triathlete.