Influence of performance level on pacing strategy during 10 km race in recreational runners

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to verify the influence of the performance level in the strategy of running pacing from recreational runners. Additionally, it was aimed to describe the heart rate (HR) responses measured in a 10-km running performance in a track. Thirty-nine recreational runners took part (31.5 ± 6.7 years), who had experience in 10-km races and realized a 10-km running performance in a track (400 m). HR was constantly monitored (Polar RS800) and the time each 400 m was registered to determine MS, and then analyzed each 2 km. Participants were divided into two groups according to their MS attained in the tests: G1 - MS 10 km ≤ 11.81 (n = 20) and G2 - MS 10 km > 11.81 (n = 19). The comparison between MS and GR obtained in different moments of the performance for both groups was made by mixed Anova for repeated measures, adopting a significance level of p < 0.05. MS values were different between the groups in all moments analyzed with a significant increase in MS from moment 6-8 km to 8-10 km for the same group. HR values were different only within-groups. In G1, there was a significant increase in HR each 2 km. For G2, HR increased from the second to the forth km and remained stable up to the eighth km, increasing again in the last 2 km of the performance. We concluded that the performance level does not influence in the running strategy of recreational runners.