Wind Tunnel Test of Drafting at Endurance Run Velocity

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate and quantify the aerodynamics advantage, the physiological and performance advantage produced by pacemaker drafting in the case of long endurance running. The experimental tests have been carried out in a wind tunnel, at submaximal effort two runners done a treadmill run test of five minutes at 4.72 m/s with the same air velocity. By comparison of physiological parameters with and without drafting, the decreasing due to the pacemaker effect was obtained. A CFD simulation is used to analyze aerodynamic effects in terms of drag and drag coefficient with and without drafting at a wind speed of 4.72 m/s. Results indicates that compared to the baseline (running alone), the drafting position show a decrease in drag (-9.73%) and drag coefficient (-9.73%). This reduction in aerodynamic drag also leads to the reduction of the following physiological parameters, as detected by the experimental tests: oxygen consumption (-5.46%), metabolic power (-5.48%), energy cost (-7.31%), produced carbon dioxide (-7.40%), minute ventilation (-5.44%), HR (-0.60%), blood lactate concentration (-16.66%), RPE (-13.89%). Results demonstrate that drafting has a significant effect on aerodynamics parameters, but also on physiological and performance variables in highly and medium trained athletes.