Carl D. Paton and Tim Jardine
Faculty of Health & Sport Science, Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND.
Introduction
An athlete’s ability to maintain a high running velocity during the run phase of a multi-sport event is a critical factor in determining an athlete’s overall race placing. Strategies that reduce the physiological load during the cycling phase of multi-sport events should enable an athlete to perform better during the running phase. A suggested performance enhancement strategy involves the moving of the foot anteriorly on the bicycle pedal platform (“mid-arch cleat position”

in order to unload the lower limbs (calf) musculature prior to the run. The current study examines the effects of foot position, during the cycling phase of a simulated duathlon, on the subsequent running performance of well-trained trained competitive triathletes.
Methods
In a randomized cross-over study design, twelve competitive triathletes completed a simulated duathlon race under two experimental conditions. The duathlon consisted of a 30 minute cycle on a velotron ergometer completed at 65% of the athletes previously determined peak aerobic power output (~85% of Max VO2) followed by a self-paced maximal effort 5.5km treadmill run. In the control condition the cycle phase was completed using the athletes’ normal (traditional) cycling cleat position. In the experimental condition athletes utilized a central foot (mid-arch) shoe cleat position. Respiratory gas measurements were made continuously throughout testing using an automated online metabolic system.
Results
Run
time (mean ± between-subject SD) in the mid-arch condition was significantly (p=0.02) faster (1345 ± 133 s) than in the control condition (1376 ±152 s). The time difference is equivalent to an improvement in running speed of 2.2% (90% CI 0.8-3.6%). Oxygen consumption during the run phase was higher following the mid-arch cycle position by 2.2% (-0.5-5.1) though this was not significantly different to control (p=0.17). There were no significant differences or noticeable trends between conditions for any metabolic variables obtained during the cycling phase of the duathlon.
Discussion
We conclude that substantial performance gains can be achieved during the running phase of a duathlon when athletes utilise an arch-cleat shoe position during the cycling phase. The greater running velocity is associated with an ability to maintain an increased oxygen consumption, which may be caused by changes in lower limb muscle recruitment patterns during the cycling phase of the race.