Head-to-head running race simulation alters pacing strategy, performance, and mood state

• Published in: Physiology & behavior Vol. 149; pp. 39 - 44
• Main Authors: Tomazini, Fabiano, Pasqua, Leonardo A, Damasceno, Mayara V, Silva-Cavalcante, Marcos D, de Oliveira, Fernando R, Lima-Silva, Adriano E, Bertuzzi, Rômulo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-10-2015
• Subjects: Adult; Affect - physiology; Competitive Behavior - physiology; Exercise Test; Humans; Male; Middle-distance running; Mood state; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Pacing strategy; Physical Exertion - physiology; POMS; Psychiatry; Respiratory compensation point; Running - physiology; Running - psychology; Statistics, Nonparametric; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; User-Computer Interface; Young Adult; POMS; Pacing strategy; Mood state; Respiratory compensation point; Middle-distance running
• ISSN: 0031-9384; 1873-507X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.021

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the presence and absence of competitors on pacing, overall running performance, and mood state during a self-paced 3-km run. Nine recreational runners participated in this study. They performed the following tests: a) an incremental test to exhaustion to measure the respiratory compensation point (RCP), maximal oxygen uptake, and peak treadmill speed; b) a submaximal speed-constant test to measure running economy; and c) two 3-km running time trials performed collectively (COL, head-to-head competition) or individually (IND, performed alone) to establish pacing and running performance. The COL condition was formed of a group of four runners or five runners. Runners were grouped by matched performance times and to retain head-to-head characteristics. A mood state profile questionnaire was completed before and after the 3-km running timetrial. The overall performance was better in the COL than in the IND (11.75 ± 0.05 min vs. 12.25 ± 0.06 min, respectively; p = 0.04). The running speeds during the first 500 m were significantly greater in COL (16.8 ± 2.16 km·h − 1 ) thanin IND (15.3 ± 2.45 km·h − 1 ) ( p = 0.03).The gain in running speed from IND to COL during the first 400 m (i.e. running speed in COL less running speed in IND) was significantly correlated with the RCP ( r = 0.88; p = 0.05). The vigor score significantly decreased from pre- to post-running in COL ( p = 0.05), but not in IND ( p = 0.20). Additionally, the post running vigor was significantly higher in IND compared to COL ( p = 0.03).These findings suggested that the presence of competitors induces a fast start, which results in an improved overall performance and reduced post-exercise vigor scores, compared to an individual run.