Relative improvements in endurance performance with age: evidence from 25 years of Hawaii Ironman racing

Abstract

Despite of the growth of ultra-endurance sports events (of duration >6 h) over the previous few decades, the age-related declines in ultra-endurance performance have drawn little attention. The aim of the study was to analyse the changes in participation and performance trends of older (>40 years of age) triathletes between 1986 and 2010 at the Hawaii Ironman triathlon consisting of 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running. Swimming, cycling, running and total times of the best male and female triathletes between 18 and 69 years of age who competed in the Hawaii Ironman triathlon were analysed. The relative participation of master triathletes increased during the 1986-2010 period, while the participation of triathletes younger than 40 years of age decreased. Linear regression showed that males older than 44 years and females older than 40 years significantly improved their performances in the three disciplines and in the total time taken to complete the race. Gender differences in total time performance significantly decreased in the same time period for all age groups between the 40-44 and 55-59 years ones. The reasons for these relative improvements of Ironman athlete performances in older age groups remain, however, unknown. Further studies investigating training regimes, competition experience or sociodemographic factors are needed to gain better insights into the phenomenon of increasing participation and improvement of ultra-endurance performance with advancing age.

Trends in Triathlon Performance: Effects of Sex and Age

“…[27] During the 25-year study period, the total time decreased by 21% (from 14h 18min to 11h 16min) for the best male finishers in the age group 60 to 64 years and by the same percentage (from 14h 38min to 11h 30min) for the best finishers in the age group 40 to 44 years. [27] Similar findings have been observed for a Hawaii Ironman qualifying race such as the Switzerland…”

“…[24,25,35,90] A relative increase in participation of masters triathletes has also been observed during the past decade for short and long distance triathlon, while the participation of triathletes younger than 40 yrs of age has decreased. [27,28,30,58] The relative increase in participation of master triathletes at the Ironman distance triathlons has been accompanied by an improvement in their performance. [27,105] We have previously presented data for the 1986-2010 period showing that swimming, cycling, running and total time performances at the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon improved for male triathletes older than 44 years age and female triathletes older than 40 years age.…”

“…[27,28,30,58] The relative increase in participation of master triathletes at the Ironman distance triathlons has been accompanied by an improvement in their performance. [27,105] We have previously presented data for the 1986-2010 period showing that swimming, cycling, running and total time performances at the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon improved for male triathletes older than 44 years age and female triathletes older than 40 years age. [27] During the 25-year study period, the total time decreased by 21% (from 14h 18min to 11h 16min) for the best male finishers in the age group 60 to 64 years and by the same percentage (from 14h 38min to 11h 30min) for the best finishers in the age group 40 to 44 years.…”

“…[27,105] We have previously presented data for the 1986-2010 period showing that swimming, cycling, running and total time performances at the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon improved for male triathletes older than 44 years age and female triathletes older than 40 years age. [27] During the 25-year study period, the total time decreased by 21% (from 14h 18min to 11h 16min) for the best male finishers in the age group 60 to 64 years and by the same percentage (from 14h 38min to 11h 30min) for the best finishers in the age group 40 to 44 years. [27] Similar findings have been observed for a Hawaii Ironman qualifying race such as the Switzerland…”

“…[24,25] With the increase in popularity of endurance sports worldwide, endurance sports have attract a greater participation of female and masters athletes (age >40 years) during recent times. [24,25,26,27] This review addresses the specific aspects of: i) sex differences and ii) age-related declines in triathlon performance. Sex differences in performance will be presented and discussed for each of the three disciplines and total event times for different distances and for both elite and age group triathletes.…”