{{Use dmy dates, date=January 2023
A paceband is a
wristband
Wristbands are encircling strips worn on the wrist or lower forearm. The term can be used to refer to a bracelet-like band, similar to that of a wristwatch, to the cuff or other part of a sleeve that covers the wrist, or decorative or function ...
, sometimes made of a strip of
waterproof paper
Waterproof paper uses special coatings (plastic-coated paper) and fibers to enhance durability, dimensional stability, tear resistance and resistance to changing shape or texture when exposed to water.
The paper has applications for wet or damp ...
, that lists expected split times for a running
race
Race, RACE or "The Race" may refer to:
* Race (biology), an informal taxonomic classification within a species, generally within a sub-species
* Race (human categorization), classification of humans into groups based on physical traits, and/or s ...
. When used in conjunction with a
stopwatch
A stopwatch is a timepiece designed to measure the amount of time that elapses between its activation and deactivation.
A large digital version of a stopwatch designed for viewing at a distance, as in a sports stadium, is called a stop clock. ...
, a paceband can assist athletes in maintaining a steady pace throughout the race. This is the most efficient racing pace from a
cardiovascular
The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or other vertebrate. It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, tha ...
and
muscle energy
Skeletal muscles (commonly referred to as muscles) are organs of the vertebrate muscular system and typically are attached by tendons to bones of a skeleton. The muscle cells of skeletal muscles are much longer than in the other types of muscle ...
perspective. Erratic running speeds, particularly the urge to sprint early in a race while feeling fresh, consume energy inefficiently. A glance at the paceband and stopwatch as each distance marker is passed allows the
athlete
An athlete (also sportsman or sportswoman) is a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed, or endurance.
Athletes may be professionals or amateurs. Most professional athletes have particularly well-devel ...
to quickly determine if they are running too fast for their targeted finishing time or too slowly and adjust accordingly.
Pre-printed versions for a variety of target finishing times can often be obtained before endurance races such as
marathon
The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...
s, or commercially. Many websites exist that allow the free creation of customised pacebands for different distances and target finishing times that can be printed on the visitor's own computer.