๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ
Intuitively, this is obvious.
If you run easy, you can run for a longer time, and the easier you run, the longer you can keep running (within your personal limits).
Whatโs not obvious is that there is a mathematical relationship between your intensity (your effort) and how long you can hold it.
๐๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก
In 1977, Peter Riegel researched the relationship between runnersโ performances over different distances and concluded that an exponential curve could predict race times for runners, given a performance at another distance โ the slow component of fatigue follows an exponential curve.
Riegel expanded on his thesis in 1981, stating that his formula concerned โactivities in the endurance range, lasting between 3-5 and 230 minutes.โ
Riegelโs formula plots time versus distance. Work by Van Dijk and Van Megen in 2017 concluded that thereโs a similar relationship between power and time.
The curve is always exponential but may be flatter, showing better fatigue resistance, or steeper, showing worse fatigue resistance for longer events.
The picture shows the slow element of fatigue as the right side of your Power-Duration Curve, starting from the dotted blue line and extending further right.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ?
Knowing the slope of your curve and the event distance, itโs possible to predict how well you might perform for a longer event (e.g. a Half-Marathon), where the slow component dominates.
A race power target that reflects your personal best!
๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐’๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐?
โ Questions?
๐ Getting Started
For more information on the research, please see:
๐น Riegel, P., (1981) Athletic Records and Human Endurance: A time vs. distance equation describing world-record performances may be used to compare the relative endurance capabilities of various groups of people.
๐น Van Dijk, H. & Van Megen, R. (2017) The Secret of Running. Maidenhead: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd
๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐: ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ-๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฏ๐
โฉ What are you capable of?
โฉ You fatigue faster at higher intensities
โฉ You fatigue more slowly at lower intensities
โฉ How do I use my PDC?
โฉ Is my PDC accurate?