Beating Yourself: How Do Runners Improve Their Own Records?

Abstract

Background: Pacing studies suggest the distribution of effort for optimizing performance. Cross-sectional studies of 1-mile world records (WRs) suggest that WR progression includes a smaller coefficient of variation of velocity. Purpose: This study evaluates whether intraindividual pacing used by elite runners to break their own WR (1 mile, 5 km, and 10 km) is related to the evolution of pacing strategy. We provide supportive data from analysis in subelite runners. Methods: Men’s WR performances (with 400-m or 1-km splits) in 1 mile, 5 km, and 10 km were retrieved from the IAAF database (from 1924 to present). Data were analyzed relative to pacing pattern when a runner improved their own WR. Similar analyses are presented for 10-km performance in subelite runners before and after intensified training. Results: WR performance was improved in 1 mile (mean [SD]: 3:59.4 [11.2] to 3:57.2 [8.6]), 5 km (13:27 [0:33] to 13:21 [0:33]), and 10 km (28:35 [1:27] to 28:21 [1:21]). The average coefficient of variation did not change in the 1 mile (3.4% [1.8%] to 3.6% [1.6%]), 5 km (2.4% [0.9%] to 2.2% [0.8%]), or 10 km (1.4% [0.1%] to 1.5% [0.6%]) with improved WR. When velocity was normalized to the percentage mean velocity for each race, the pacing pattern was almost identical. Very similar patterns were observed in subelite runners in the 10 km. When time improved from 49:20 (5:30) to 45:56 (4:58), normalized velocity was similar, terminal RPE increased (8.4 [1.6] to 9.1 [0.8]), coefficient of variation was unchanged (4.4% [1.1%] to 4.8% [2.1%]), and VO2max increased (49.8 [7.4] to 55.3 [8.8] mL·min−1·kg−1). Conclusion: The results suggest that when runners break their own best performances, they employ the same pacing pattern, which is different from when WRs are improved in cross-sectional data.

Summated Hazard Score as a Powerful Predictor of Fatigue in Relation to Pacing Strategy

“…This coincides with Robinson et al [ 24 ] who concluded that it is vital to follow a relatively even pace (e.g., self-selected starting strategy) in order to avoid large homeostatic disturbances early during an event. This was supported in earlier studies performed in our laboratory [ 2 , 7 , 9 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 36 , 39 ]. The results are consistent with the evolution of pacing strategy to a more even pattern during contemporary 1-mile world records [ 28 ], and in events where individuals bettered their own best performance [ 9 ].…”

“…In head-to-head competition, less successful athletes often follow the pacing pattern of the eventual winner, until they are compelled to change to more individually realistic pacing patterns [ 7 , 8 ]. In events where athletes, either elite or recreational, are improving their own best performances, the same pacing pattern is often adopted [ 9 ]. In non-athletic individuals, health complications are associated with unaccustomed heavy exercise [ 10 ].…”

“…However, Foster et al [ 28 ] noted that 1-mile running world records had evolved to become much more “even paced” during the last 25 years. Further, Foster et al noted that when an individual athlete, whether elite or recreational level, bettered their own best performance, they typically used the same relative pacing pattern [ 9 ]. Abbiss and Laursen [ 1 ] noted the importance of an all-out strategy in shorter races, a positive or gradual decrease in pace after reaching maximum velocity in middle distance events, and an even pacing strategy in longer distance events.…”

“…A higher RPE usually reflects a higher level of homeostatic disturbance (either from intensity or progressive fatigue related to the duration of an event) [ 2 , 21 , 22 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 35 ], while a lower RPE reflects a relative maintenance of homeostasis. When RPE is compared to distance of an event there is a scalar, linear growth pattern despite the occurrence of various modifiers (muscle glycogen depletion, distance, hypoxia-hyperoxia, temperature, mode of exercise) [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The association between RPE versus modulation of PO demonstrates a reciprocal relationship between transiently above-normal PO and RPE [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], supported by studies where the length of a TT was deceptively changed [ 37 , 38 ].…”

How to build a new athletic track to break records

“…What about if the secret behind beating records was to build a new athletic track with a better geometry? Researchers have addressed theoretical issues on various aspects of sport records [1][2][3][4][5] or strategies [6][7][8][9][10], on the effect of running on a bend [11][12][13][14][15], however, little has been done on how to improve the records for running 200 m. Indeed, the more economical way to run is on a straight, but only the 100 m is run straight. Starting from 200 m, the track has curved parts so that the runner has to counter the centrifugal force and inner lanes are therefore disadvantaged.…”