Study note • PMID 22648344
Analysis of pacing strategy selection in elite 400-m freestyle swimming.
Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.
ELI5
In plain language
The objective of this study is to identify which type of pacing profiles are most prominently used in elite 400-m freestyle swimming. (controlled study; elite athletes).
Effects on Time-trial performance are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: The objective of this study is to identify which type of pacing profiles are most prominently used in elite 400-m freestyle swimming.
- • Effects on Time-trial performance are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone.
- • Population: elite athletes.
- • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: pacing.
- • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
- • Outcomes: Time-trial performance.
- • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.
Fit
Who it helps, and who should skip it
Who it helps
- • Athletes similar to the study population (elite athletes) working on pacing.
- • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.
Who should skip
- • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
- • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.
Methods
What the study actually did
- • Design: controlled study.
- • Population: elite athletes.
- • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 22648344 (2012) — Medicine and science in sports and exercise.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“Fast-start-even and parabolic pacing profiles were the most frequently used, irrespective of sex or swimming suit worn (120 and 89 swims, respectively).”
Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.
Limits
Limitations & bias
- • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
- • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
- • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
- • This is performance information, not medical advice.
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