Physiological and biomechanical adaptations to the cycle to run transition in Olympic triathlon: review and practical recommendations for training

Abstract

Current knowledge of the physiological, biomechanical, and sensory eVects of the cycle to run transition in the Olympic triathlon (1.5 km, 10 km, 40 km) is reviewed and implications for the training of junior and elite triathletes are discussed. Triathlon running elicits hyperventilation, increased heart rate, decreased pulmonary compliance, and exercise induced hypoxaemia. This may be due to exercise intensity, ventilatory muscle fatigue, dehydration, muscle fibre damage, a shift in metabolism towards fat oxidation, and depleted glycogen stores after a 40 km cycle. The energy cost (C R ) of running during the cycle to run transition is also increased over that of control running. The increase in C R varies from 1.6% to 11.6% and is a reflection of triathlete ability level. This increase may be partly related to kinematic alterations, but research suggests that most biomechanical parameters are unchanged. A more forward leaning trunk inclination is the most significant observation reported. Running pattern, and thus running economy, could also be influenced by sensorimotor perturbations related to the change in posture. Technical skill in the transition area is obviously very important. The conditions under which the preceding cycling section is performed-that is, steady state or stochastic power output, drafting or non-drafting-are likely to influence the speed of adjustment to transition. The extent to which a decrease in the average 10 km running speed occurs during competition must be investigated further. It is clear that the higher the athlete is placed in the field at the end of the bike section, the greater the importance to their finishing position of both a quick transition area time and optimal adjustment to the physiological demands of the cycle to run transition. The need for, and current methods of, training to prepare junior and elite triathletes for a better transition are critically reviewed in light of the eVects of sequential cycle to run exercise. (Br J Sports Med 2000;34:384-390)

Performance factors in the new combined event of modern pentathlon

“…However, the benefit of this positive pacing strategy (i.e. positive split) which is systematically adopted by elite triathletes still remains unclear and has been questioned by several authors (Millet & Vleck, 2000;Vleck et al, 2006Vleck et al, , 2008Le Meur et al, 2009). It has been suggested that under stable external conditions (i.e.…”

Trends in Triathlon Performance: Effects of Sex and Age

“…[8,9] Triathlon performance has been studied from numerous perspectives by a number of research groups over approximately the same period that the sport has grown. Research has investigated physiological [1,10,11,12,13,14] , biomechanical [15,16,17] , training [16,18,19,20] , nutritional [21] or medical [22] aspects of triathlon performance. Although Ironman triathlon is a relatively new ultra-endurance event, recently elite Ironman triathletes appear to have reached their performance limits [2,23] as has been observed in more traditional sports such as marathon running where performance times have plateaued.…”

Physiological profile of elite triathletes: a comparison between young and professional competitors

“…It has been suggested that the importance of the transition between the swimming and cycling components is mainly tactical in nature (Millet and Vleck, 2000). Those participants who are not among the first to abandon the water see their chances of winning decline since cycling alone is associated with increased fatigue (Hausswirth et al, 1999;Hausswirth et al, 2001).…”

“…The capacity to produce the maximum amount of energy per unit time is one of the main markers of performance in this sport (O'Toole and Douglas, 1995). The event also requires high technical performances in and rapid physiological adaptation between each component (Millet and Vleck, 2000).…”