Key result
High-level ultra-trail runners display greater pacing variability linked to better adaptation to race terrain.
Why the study?
Previous studies on pacing in trail-running races included races longer than 100 km, so the influence of performance level and sex on pacing in shorter ultra-trail races was unclear.
Observational (n=5,655)
No
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher pacing variability is associated with better performance in a 56.3 km ultra-trail running race, suggesting runners should adapt their pace to the terrain.
Pacing strategies in shorter ultra-trails may be independent of sex and performance level; leaves open confirmation in other distances and populations.
The current evidence suggests that pacing may not be affected by performance level or sex in trail-running races as may occur in road running races. However, the previous studies included races of >100 km. Therefore, we aimed to verify the influence of performance level and sex on pacing in the last four (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021) editions of a shorter (56.3 km) ultra-trail running race (i.e., Orsières–Champex–Chamonix; OCC®) that maintained the same race profile. The mean finishing time for the 5656 participants was 10 h 20 min 33 s ± 2 h 01 min 19 s. Pacing variability (CV%) was higher in high-level participants, thus showing a greater ability to adapt their pace to the race profile than low-level runners. Males also had a higher pacing variability than females although the effect sizes were small. Based on the current findings, we may recommend for non-elite OCC® participants to adapt their pace to the race profile with a slower pace during uphills and a faster pace during downhills. Further studies including participants’ experience are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of this suggestion in trail-running races of variable distances.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Corbí-Santamaría et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Trail running (n=5,655). Performance level and sex vs. Lower performance levels and opposite sex was evaluated on Pacing variability (Coefficient of Variation of relative pace) (p=<0.001). High-level ultra-trail runners exhibited significantly higher pacing variability compared to lower-level runners, demonstrating a better adaptation to the race profile's uphills and downhills.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: