Objective: To analyze the proportion of dedication in each triathlon discipline (swimming, cycling, and running) and the importance of each separate discipline to predict overall performance of elite triathletes across different triathlon distances.Methods: Data from 2015 to 2020 (n = 16,667) from official races and athletes in Sprint, Olympic distance, IM 70.3 (Half-Ironman distance), and IM 140.6 (Full-Ironman distance) competitions were included. The proportion of each discipline was calculated individually and compared using general linear models by event distance, sex, and performance level. Automatic linear regression models were applied for each distance considering overall performance as the dependent variable.Results: A within-distance analysis showed that the best predictor for Sprint is cycling, for Olympic is swimming, for IM 70.3 is cycling, and for IM 140.6 is running. A between-distance analysis revealed that swimming is a better predictor in Olympic distance than in other triathlon distances. Cycling is a poor predictor for overall performance in IM 140.6, and the importance of running to predict overall performance is the highest in IM 140.6 and diminishes with decreasing race distance.Conclusion: Each discipline represents a different relative portion and importance to predict overall performance depending on the triathlon distance. Swimming is the most important predictor discipline in Sprint- and Olympic-distance triathlon, cycling in IM 70.3, and running in IM 140.6.

Souza, LR, Vicente, JB, Melo, GR, Moraes, VC, Olher, RR, Sousa, IC, Peruchi, LH, Neves, RV, Rosa, TS, Ferreira, AP, and Moraes, MR. Acute hypotension after moderate-intensity handgrip exercise in hypertensive elderly people. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2971-2977, 2018-Isometric handgrip (IHG) training is effective in reducing blood pressure (BP), but little is known about the occurrence of acute hypotension by postisometric exercise hypotension (PIEH) and the underlying mechanisms. Ten sedentary hypertensive elderly people (7 women and 3 men) individuals, with a mean age of 73.2 ± 2.2 years and systolic BP (SBP) of 135.1 ± 6.5, were included; they were hypertensive for 13.2 ± 3.1 years and were receiving medications. These patients underwent 2 experimental sessions of isometric exercise using a portable hydraulic handgrip dynamometer: (a) sham session with 3% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and (b) experimental isometric session with 30% MVIC, completing a total of 8 sets of 1-minute contraction and 1-minute rest-pause (overload of work = 51.7 kgf·min). Blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated at rest and 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes postexercise. Blood lactate (Lac) and salivary nitric oxide (NO) were collected at rest, 0, 30, and 60 minutes postexercise. The SBP presented a reduction as of the tenth minute postexercise to session 30% MVIC (Δ = -14.4 at -18.7 mm Hg, p < 0.05). At 60-minute postexercise, the SBP was 30% lower vs. 3% MVIC (-20.2 mm Hg, p = 0.006). There were no differences for the other cardiovascular parameters and vasoactive substances for both sessions (p > 0.05). These results demonstrated that the IHG exercise with a higher overload of work induced PIEH in hypertensive elderly people, but there was no association with Lac and NO. Therefore, this IHG model with easy execution, quick adherence, short duration, and a portable equipment can be an excellent adjuvant strategy for the control and prevention of hypertension.

Cut-off points and performance-related tools are needed for the development of the Olympic distance triathlon. The purposes of the present study were (i) to determine cut-off values to reach the top three positions in an Olympic distance triathlon; (ii) to identify which discipline present the highest influence on overall race performance and if it has changed over the decades. Data from 1989 to 2019 (n = 52,027) from all who have competed in an official Olympic distance triathlon events (World Triathlon Series and Olympics) were included. The cut-off value to achieve a top three position was calculated. Linear regressions were applied for performance trends overall and for the top three positions of each race. Men had cut-off values of: swimming = 19.5 min; cycling = 60.7 min; running = 34.1 min. Women’s cut-off values were: swimming = 20.7 min; cycling = 71.6 min; running = 38.1 min. The running split seemed to be the most influential in overall race time regardless of rank position or sex. In conclusion, cut-offs were established, which can increase the chances of achieving a successful rank position in an Olympic triathlon. Cycling is the discipline with the least influence on overall performance for both men and women in the Olympic distance triathlon. This influence pattern has not changed in the last three decades.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic, oxidative stress (OS), and nitric oxide (NO−) responses to a submaximal isometric exercise session (IES) involving large muscle mass. Methods Fourteen hypertensive (HTG: age = 35.9 ± 8.1 yr, height = 1.73 ± 0.10 m, total body mass = 78.0 ± 15.8 kg) and 10 normotensive (NTG: age = 41.1 ± 9.4 yr, height = 1.71 ± 0.12 m, total body mass = 82.3 ± 22.4 kg) participants performed two experimental sessions in the leg press and bench press: (i) control session and (ii) 8 sets × 1 min contraction at 30% maximal voluntary isometric contraction with 2-min rest interval. Blood pressure (BP) was measured at rest and during 60 min postexercise. Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately after the session, and 60 min postexercise. NO− was obtained through the Griess reaction method. OS parameters were analyzed using commercial kits. A repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test was used to analyze all dependent variables. Results A significant decrease in systolic BP was observed only for HTG at 45 and 60 min postexercise (baseline vs 45 min: P = 0.03, Δ% = 4.44%; vs 60 min: P = 0.018, Δ% = 5.58%). NO− increased immediately postexercise only for HTG (P = 0.008, Δ% = 16.44%). Regarding OS parameters, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances presented a significant reduction 60 min after the IES for NTG and HTG; catalase increased in both groups. Conclusions The data showed that only 8 min of IES with a large muscle mass elicits an elevated pro-oxidant activity leading to a greater NO− bioavailability, increases antioxidant reaction, and consequently reduces BP in hypertensive patients.