Introduction
In cycling, there is a body of evidence that supports that an all-out start strategy is superior to an even-pacing strategy, but it is unknown whether an all-out start strategy is superior to a self-paced strategy. In the present study, we investigated the effects of three different pacing strategies on 4-km cycling time trial performance. After preliminary trials (familiarization trials and a baseline 4-km cycling time trial), in a randomized and counterbalanced order, twelve male cyclists (32.3±7.2 years old, maximum rate of OThe distribution of power output throughout a self-paced endurance exercise has been defined as pacing strategy and has a great influence on overall performance (An explanation for the improvement in overall performance when using an all-out start strategy is that increasing power to overcome the inertia of a stationary start minimizes the acceleration period, resulting in less time spent in suboptimal speed (However, some unresolved questions should be highlighted. A “forced” all-out start strategy has mostly been compared with an equally “forced” even-pace strategy (An additional practical factor is that the all-out period is immediately followed by maintenance at mean power for the remaining first quarter of the trial to prevent intramuscular disturbances (In the present study, we investigated the effects of three different pacing strategies on 4-km cycling time trial performance. The three pacing strategies tested were: 1) a self-paced strategy; 2) an all-out start strategy for the first 10 s, with further maintenance at average power obtained in a baseline trial for the remaining first quarter (i.e., first km), and self-paced for the remaining 3 km (all-out+mean trial); and 3) an all-out start strategy for the first 10 s, with further maintenance of a 5% higher than average power obtained in the baseline trial for the remaining first km, and self-paced cycling for the remaining 3 km (all-out+5%mean trial). Our first hypothesis was that there is no advantage in adopting an all-out start strategy compared with a self-paced strategy characterized by a spontaneous fast-start and a final sprint. Our second hypothesis is that the all-out+5%mean trial may confer additional benefits to overall performance compared with self-paced and all-out+mean strategies.