As there is limited data on pacing models in intermittent sports, the main purpose of this study was to establish how the knowledge of shuttle number would influence pacing during repeated sprints between the wickets while batting. Methods: Ten batsmen performed three trials: Deceptive Trial (DT), Unknown Trial (UT), and Control Trial (CT). Each consisted of 14 shuttle runs although the information provided at the start of each differed. With the DT, players` were told they would be running 7 shuttles but, were doing 14. With the UT trial, players` were not told how many shuttles they would sprint but were stopped after 14. With the CT the players` were correctly informed of the fact that they would be doing 14 shuttles. Sprint times, surface EMG and perceptions of effort were the outcome measures. Results: The non-significant trend was for faster shuttle times overall during the DT (6.96s) compared to the other two trials (7.01s and 7.11s for the CT and UT). There was evidence of an end spurt at the 7th and 14th shuttle in the DT. An end spurt was also evident at the end of the CT; this end spurt was not evident in the UT. Hamstring activation was lowest throughout the DT and there was a significant decrease in hamstring recruitment over time in all trials. Central RPE was similar in all trials while local RPE was lowest for the DT. All perceptions of effort increased significantly over time in all trials. Discussion: It is highly plausible that during the DT there was a greater subconscious neural drive, resulting in the fastest times (Billaut et al., 2011). The more conservative approach during the UT is an indication that inhibition may have occurred (St Clair Gibson et al., 2006). The CT probably allowed speed to be predetermined using teleoanticipatory factors to affect performance (St Clair Gibson et al., 2006). There were indications of an `end spurt` in the DT and CT suggesting reserve was available (Tucker, 2009). The drop in hamstring activation over time in all trials could be indicative of fatigue. This study suggests that pacing may occur in batting although more research is needed to validate this.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Veröffentlicht von Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.