The effect of forced even pacing and an opponent on end-spurt behaviour in freestyle pool swimming

To investigate the effect of forced even pacing through virtual pacing assistance and an opponent in a competitive setting on end-spurt behaviour in freestyle swimmers, including related physiological underpinnings. Twenty-seven competitive swimmers and triathletes were recruited. There were four 1500 m freestyle trials: (i) familiarisation time trial, (ii) self-paced time trial (STT), (iii) head-to-head competition time trial (CTT) and (iv) forced even pacing through virtual pacing assistance time trial (FET). Eventually, 12 swimmers met the criteria for the CTT and FET to be included in the analysis. Changes in end-spurt behaviour, finishing time and physiological parameters (lactate, cortisol, noradrenaline and heart rate) were analysed using a linear mixed model with fixed effects for trials and a random effect for swimmer identity. A separate linear model was computed for competition outcome. The end-spurt for each race was determined by means of an end-spurt indicator (ESI; ESI > 0 greater end-spurt). Swimmers demonstrated a significantly greater ESI in FET (+2.6; p < 0.001) and CTT (+1.4; p = 0.022) compared to STT. Blood lactate concentration in FET (+1.0 mmol L⁻¹; p < 0.001) and CTT (+1.6 mmol L⁻¹; p < 0.001) was significantly higher than in STT. Winners had a significantly greater ESI than losers in CTT (+1.6 and p = 0.005). Swimmers utilised a greater end-spurt through metabolically optimal forced even pacing by virtual pacing assistance and in a head-to-head competition due a larger mobilisation of anaerobic reserves as indicated by greater blood lactate concentrations. Winners had a significantly greater end-spurt than losers despite similar metabolic disturbances.