Ariyoshi, M., Tanaka, H., Kanamori, K., Obara, S., Yoshitake, H., Yamaji, K., & Shepard, R. J. (1979). Influence of running pace upon performance: Effects upon oxygen intake, blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 4, 210-213.

Several general performance protocols for running a middle-distance event were compared. A treadmill (1,400 m; 4 min) run was evaluated at a fast/slow, slow/fast, and steady pace speed distribution.

The fast/slow protocol resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in oxygen uptake, less lactate accumulation, and a lower rating of perceived exertion during the final 2 min of the 4 min run.

Implication. Fast/slow pacing is superior to the other protocols. This is possibly due to the match of effort demanded with progressively waning physiological power.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.