The effects of drafting distances on heart rate responses, oxygen consumption, and perceived exertion for a group of female cross-country runners 2011.

Purpose of this experimental study was to determine the physiological and psychological effect of drafting during running. Five female college-aged subjects exercised at submaximal effort during three trials: running alone to simulate a lead runner, running 1.0 meters behind another person, and running 2.5 meters behind another person. Heart rate, oxygen consumption and perceived exertion were recorded during each trial and the data collected was analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed that oxygen consumption and perceived exertion were significantly lower while running 2.5 meters behind another person when compared to running alone. Heart rate was significantly lower when drafting 1.0 meters behind another runner