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Int J Sports Med 2025; 46(02): 115-120
DOI: 10.1055/a-2443-9921
Training & Testing

Differences in 5-km running pace between female and male triathletes

Vinicius Ribeiro dos Anjos
1   Postgraduate Program in Translation Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN28105)
,
Lavínia Vivan
1   Postgraduate Program in Translation Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN28105)
,
Paulo Engelke
1   Postgraduate Program in Translation Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN28105)
,
Claudio André Barbosa de Lira
2   Faculty of Physical Education and Dance, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN67824)
,
Rodrigo Luiz Vancini
3   Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
,
Katja Weiss
4   Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
Thomas Rosemann
5   University of Zurich, Department of General Practice, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Beat Knechtle 
6   St. Gallen, Gesundheitszentrum, St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
Marília dos Santos Andrade
7   Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Sex difference - Pace - Sprint triathlon - Performance


Publication History

Received: 06 June 2024

Accepted after revision: 07 October 2024

Article published online:
08 November 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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