Open-water races may be characterized by extreme environmental conditions (water temperature, tides, currents, and waves) that have an overall impact on performance, influencing tactics and pacing. Future studies are needed to study OWS in both training and competition.

Purpose: Different aspects of pacing in endurance events have been investigated, however, there are very limited information on pacing strategies during open-water swimming. The aim was to describe and compare the pacing profile used by male and female open-water swimmers (OW-swimmers) during the 5-, 10-and 25 km races in the main international competitions. Methods: A total of 438 performances were analysed for 5 km, 579 for 10 km and 189 for 25 km, from 2012 to 2017. Swimmers were divided into four groups based on finishing time. G1 whose finishing times were within 0.5% of the winner's time, G2 between 0.51% and 1% slower than winner's time; G3 between 1.1% and 2% slower than winner's time; G4 over 2% of winner's time. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normal distribution of data and repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Results: G1 adopted a negative pacing and significantly increased the speed in the last split compared with the other groups during the 5-, 10-and 25-km races in both males and females (p < .001). During the 5-and 10-km race, the last split speed of G1 was significantly faster compared to the other groups in both males and females (p < .05). Conclusions: OW-swimmers that used a conservative approach remaining in G1 until the finish of the race, increase the possibility to win a medal in the main international competitions.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for clinically localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS From February 2002 to September 2003 all patients undergoing RRP in our department were invited to participate in the study; the data from 75 of them comprised the present analysis. For evaluating HRQoL the RAND 36‐Item Health Survey (SF‐36) was used. RESULTS Comparing the baseline scores of the SF‐36 domains to those at 3, 6 and 12 months, there was a statistically significant difference in ‘physical function’, ‘role limitations due to physical health problems’, ‘role limitations due to emotional problems’, and ‘energy/fatigue’. There were no statistically significant changes in the follow‐up values for the other scales of the questionnaire. However, the baseline scores overlapped the 12‐month follow‐up values for all the SF‐36 scales. The mean SF‐36 scores reported by incontinent patients were lower than those of the continent patients, although this trend was not statistically significant. At the 12‐month follow‐up some variables were independent predictors of lower mean scores of some SF‐36 scales, i.e. age >65 years, education level less than secondary school, pathological extracapsular extension of cancer and erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION At 1 year after RRP, HRQoL levels in each of the SF‐36 domains overlapped those of the baseline in >80% of patients. The age, educational level of patients, local extension of the tumour, and erectile dysfunction could significantly affect the HRQoL scores.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of chronotype on mood state and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) before and in response to acute high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) performed at different times of the day. Based on the morningness–eveningness questionnaire, 12 morning-types (M-types; N = 12; age 21 ± 2 years; height 179 ± 5 cm; body mass 74 ± 12 kg) and 11 evening-types (E-types; N = 11; age 21 ± 2 years; height 181 ± 11 cm; body mass 76 ± 11 kg) were enrolled in a randomized crossover study. All subjects underwent measurements of Profile of Mood States (POMS), before (PRE), after 12 (POST12) and 24 h (POST24) the completion of both morning (08.00 am) and evening (08.00 p.m.) training. Additionally, Global Mood Disturbance and Energy Index (EI) were calculated. RPE was obtained PRE and 30 min POST HIIE. Two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test of POMS parameters during morning training showed significant differences in fatigue, vigor and EI at PRE and POST24 between M-types and E-types. In addition, significant chronotype differences were found only in POST12 after the evening HIIE for fatigue, vigor and EI. For what concerns Borg perceived exertion, comparing morning versus evening values in PRE condition, a higher RPE was observed in relation to evening training for M-types (P = 0.0107) while E-types showed higher RPE values in the morning (P = 0.008). Finally, intragroup differences showed that E-types had a higher RPE respect to M-types before (P = 0.002) and after 30 min (P = 0.042) the morning session of HIIE. No significant changes during the evening training session were found. In conclusion, chronotype seems to significantly influence fatigue values, perceived exertions and vigor in relation to HIIE performed at different times of the day. Specifically, E-types will meet more of a burden when undertaking a physical task early in the day. Practical results suggest that performing a HIIE at those times of day that do not correspond to subjects’ circadian preference can lead to increased mood disturbances and perceived exertion. Therefore, an athlete’s chronotype should be taken into account when scheduling HIIE.Trial registration:ACTRN12617000432314, registered 24 March 2017, “retrospectively registered”.Web address of trial:https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371862&showOriginal=true&isReview=true

High volumes in Z1 appear to be an important training method utilized by elite OW-swimmers. However, future research is necessary to study the effects of different TID on OWS performances.