Cardiovascular responses during an indoor race walking competition

Aim. This study aims to examine the cardiovascular responses during an indoor race walking competition over the distance of 3-km for female and 5-km for male athletes. Methods. During the Italian indoor RW Championship heart rate was monitored on eleven well trained race walkers (five men and six women) and then refereed as percentages of individuals' theoretical maximum heart rate (206-0.7.age). To provide a measure of relative intensity, five HR zones were assessed. Alterations in % HRmax both for the five and three 1000-m split distances were determined. Results. During the 5-km race the athletes spent 79.7% (15 min 45 s) at HR5 (i.e., 90-100% of HRmax). Specifically, % HRmax increased by 10% in the last compared to the first 1000-m sector (P=0.006, effect size = 2.47 +/- 0.83, very large), with the first 1000-m sector lower than the subsequent ones (P=0.01, effect size=2.17 to 2.47, very large). While, for the 3-km the athletes spent 86.9% (11 min 35 s) at HR5 (i.e., 90-100% of HRmax) with no differences observed in the % HRmax between the three 1000-m sectors (P>0.01). Conclusion. The dissemination of performance and physical attributes identified within the present study reveal that the exercise intensity of indoor race walking competitions has a high-intensity profile and will assist coaches and athletes in formulating appropriate training, competition and recovery.