REF-771 · Hanon et al., 2011 · Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol. · Paper · PubMed

Effects of optimal pacing strategies for 400-, 800-, and 1500-m races on the VO2 response

Blimited evidenceMeasured on trained to highly trained athletesWritten before October 2026, being re-checked

Trained runners ran 400, 800 and 1500 m tests paced on the strategies elite runners use. Final velocity fell significantly at all three distances: the slowest velocity in the last 100 m was 77% (400 m), 88% (800 m) and 96% (1500 m) of peak velocity.

VO2peak reached 94% of VO2max in the 400 m and 100% in the 800 and 1500 m, and VO2 then fell in the last 100 m in every runner in the 400 m (15.6 ± 6.5%) and 800 m (9.9 ± 6.3%), but not systematically in the 1500 m (3.6 ± 7.6%). The size of the VO2 drop correlated with the fall in tidal volume (r = 0.85) and with peak blood lactate (r = 0.55).

The 800 m behaves like the 400 m, not the 1500 m.

Participants

"Specifically trained runners"; the number, sex and performance level are not given in the abstract.

Protocol

Running tests over 400, 800 and 1500 m with pacing based on the strategies adopted by elite runners to optimise performance.
VO2 measured throughout and expressed relative to a previously determined VO2max; tidal volume recorded; maximal blood lactate measured after each test.

Key Results

400 m800 m1500 m
Slowest velocity in the last 100 m, % of peak velocity77%88%96%
VO2peak, % of VO2max94%100%100%
VO2 decrease in the last 100 m15.6 ± 6.5% (all participants)9.9 ± 6.3% (all participants)3.6 ± 7.6% (non-systematic)
Final velocity decreased significantly at all three distances.
The VO2 decrease correlated with the reduction in tidal volume in the last 100 m (r = 0.85, P < 0.0001) and with maximal blood lactate after the races (r = 0.55, P < 0.005).
The 800 m is similar to the 400 m in its decreases in velocity and VO2.

Practical Application

"Why do I slow down so much in the last 100 m of an 800?" — in trained runners running tests paced like elite 400, 800 and 1500 m races, speed in the last 100 m fell to 77% of peak in the 400 m, 88% in the 800 m and 96% in the 1500 m, and VO2 itself fell in the last 100 m of every 400 and 800 (by 15.6% and 9.9%), a drop that tracked falling tidal volume (r = 0.85) and peak lactate (r = 0.55): the 800 m fades like a 400 m, not like a 1500 m.
Expect and plan for the fade in the 400 and 800 m: with elite-style pacing even trained runners lose speed and oxygen uptake over the last 100 m, so a slower final 100 m is the normal shape of the race, not by itself a pacing error.
Inference, not tested here: because the 800 m shares the 400 m's end-race collapse in VO2 and breathing, 800 m preparation needs the 400-type speed-endurance and lactate work that elite 800 m runners use (REF-768), not only the aerobic work of a 1500 m runner.
Inference, not tested here: in the 1500 m, VO2 held to the end (no systematic drop), so the 1500 m is closer to an aerobic event paced to the line.

Limitations

Sample size, sex and performance level are not given in the abstract.
One pacing profile per distance; no alternative pacing was tested, so "optimal" refers to the elite-derived profile, not a demonstrated best.
Correlations are pooled across distances and do not establish that breathing limits cause the VO2 fall.
Written from the abstract and record metadata only (full text not read).
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level

small uncontrolled experiment; sample size not given in the abstract