Key result
Male triathletes run 5-km ~11% faster than females, increasing pace in the final stretch.
Why the study?
While running segment pacing differs by sex during an IRONMAN, whether sex affects running pace in shorter triathlon events remained unknown.
Does sex affect the pacing strategy during a 5-km running test following a 20-km cycle in triathletes?
Cross-Sectional (n=32)
Does sex affect the pacing strategy during a 5-km running test following a 20-km cycle in triathletes?
Effect estimate: ~11% shorter time
p-value: p=0.006
In short-term triathlon events, male and female athletes exhibit different pacing strategies during the running segment, with men accelerating towards the end and women maintaining a steady pace.
May indicate sex-specific pacing in triathlon running; leaves open prospective validation before any training implications.
During an IRONMAN, the pacing strategy in the running segment differs significantly between sexes. However, it is unknown if sex affects the running pace in shorter triathlon events. This study compared the pacing strategy between sexes during a 5-km running test performed following a 20-km cycle (sprint triathlon distances). Participants included 16 men (34.7±7.5 years) and 16 women (39.5±7.7 years). A cardiopulmonary exercise test to measure maximal oxygen uptake (˙VO2max) and a functional threshold power (FTP) were performed. Body composition was measured using a dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. Participants cycled at 90% FTP for 20 km and ran as fast as possible for 5 km. The total time spent cycling 20 km was shorter (~11%) in male than in female athletes (p<0.001). Similarly, the time spent to run 5 km was shorter in male (~11%) than in female athletes (p=0.006). Male athletes performed the last 600 m of the 5km race significantly faster than the initial meters (p<0.05). Female athletes performed the 5-km race without pace variation (p>0.05). In conclusion, apart from the sex differences associated with performance in short-term triathlon events, the pacing strategy was also different.
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Anjos et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Triathletes (n=32). Male sex vs. Female sex was evaluated on Time spent to run 5 km and pace variation (~11% shorter time, p=0.006). Male triathletes completed the 5-km run ~11% faster than females (p=0.006) and increased pace in the final 600 m (p<0.05), whereas females maintained a steady pace.
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