This study utilized an experimental design testing low, medium, and high intensity warm-up protocols for NCAA Division I 800-meter male and female middle distance runners to determine which result in optimal outcomes in a peak performance, i.e., 800-meter time trial. Mississippi State University student athletes on the Track and Field Team who compete in middle distance running events participated. Among males, results of the repeated measures ANOVA found no significant difference among the three warm-up protocols for the first 400 meters completed. For females, repeated measures ANOVA results found no significant difference among the protocols for the first 200 meters completed. However, at the completion of the 800-meter time trial, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen among both males and females; post hoc analyses indicated that the high intensity warm-up group had a statistically significantly lower (i.e., better) total time than the low intensity warm-up group.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cadence on time trial performance in novice female cyclists. Ten novice female cyclists volunteered to participate in this study. Participants performed 3 sessions: one VO2 peak and two time trials (TT). Cadence was randomly selected and fixed for each TT (60 or 100 rpm) while power output (PO) was adjusted by the participant, as tolerated. Finish time, HR, blood lactate, PO, VO2, and RPE were measured throughout the time trials. The major finding of this study was the significantly faster (p<0.05) finish time (minutes) during the 60 rpm condition (34:23) versus the 100 rpm condition (37:34). Also the 60 rpm TT resulted in significant (p<0.05) differences for HR (155.9 vs 161.2 bpm), gross efficiency (21.1% vs 17.7%), and PO (147 vs 129 watts). These results indicate that novice female cyclists benefit from adopting a low cadence during an 8k TT. / by Patricia Graham. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to examine effects of a fan-induced airflow at standard room temperature (20-23°C) on 20-km cycling time trial performance. A secondary purpose was to investigate two fan speeds and whether a difference in performance existed with increased fan speed in intermediate duration indoor cycling tests. Methods: Seven trained cyclists completed three 20-km cycling time trials under three conditions in a randomized crossover design. The 3 conditions were: 1) control (no fan), 2) low speed fan, and 3) high speed fan. Results: A tendency for modest decreases in time to completion (TTC) were noted in the two experimental conditions compared to the control condition (-2.06% low speed fan; -3.29% high speed fan). There was also a tendency for small increases in power output during the experimental conditions, although neither time nor power output differences were statistically significant. No differences in mean heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were observed among the three conditions. Conclusion: These results suggest a relationship between fan use and 20-km indoor cycling time trial performance, specifically TTC and mean power output, but larger samples are needed to provide adequate statistical power. Further investigation into the effects of fan use in standard testing environments is recommended. No additional benefit was observed from increased fan speeds. Differences in the experimental conditions on average resulted in non-significant 1.2% improvement.