Specific Aspects of Contemporary Triathlon

Abstract

Triathlon competitions are performed over markedly different distances and under a variety of technical constraints. In 'standard-distance' triathlons involving 1.5km swim, 40km cycling and 10km running, a World Cup series as well as a World Championship race is available for 'elite' competitors. In contrast, 'age-group' triathletes may compete in 5-year age categories at a World Championship level, but not against the elite competitors. The difference between elite and age-group races is that during the cycle stage elite competitors may 'draft' or cycle in a sheltered position; age-group athletes complete the cycle stage as an individual time trial. Within triathlons there are a number of specific aspects that make the physiological demands different from the individual sports of swimming, cycling and running. The physiological demands of the cycle stage in elite races may also differ compared with the age-group format. This in turn may influence performance during the cycle leg and subsequent running stage. Wetsuit use and drafting during swimming (in both elite and age-group races) result in improved buoyancy and a reduction in frontal resistance, respectively. Both of these factors will result in improved performance and efficiency relative to normal pool-based swimming efforts. Overall cycling performance after swimming in a triathlon is not typically affected. However, it is possible that during the initial stages of the cycle leg the ability of an athlete to generate the high power outputs necessary for tactical position changes may be impeded. Drafting during cycling results in a reduction in frontal resistance and reduced energy cost at a given submaximal intensity. The reduced energy expenditure during the cycle stage results in an improvement in running, so an athlete may exercise at a higher percentage of maximal oxygen uptake. In elite triathlon races, the cycle courses offer specific physiological demands that may result in different fatigue responses when compared with standard time-trial courses. Furthermore, it is possible that different physical and physiological characteristics may make some athletes more suited to races where the cycle course is either flat or has undulating sections. An athlete's ability to perform running activity after cycling, during a triathlon, may be influenced by the pedalling frequency and also the physiological demands of the cycle stage. The technical features of elite and age-group triathlons together with the physiological demands of longer distance events should be considered in experimental design, training practice and also performance diagnosis of triathletes.

Trends in Triathlon Performance: Effects of Sex and Age

“…[1] Triathlon first appeared at the end of 1970"s and in only one-quarter of a century has developed into a well-organized sport with global participation.…”

“…[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.…”

Consequences of Drafting on Human Locomotion: Benefits on Sports Performance

“…Oxygen uptake was reduced by 8 ± 12%, blood lactate concentration by 33 ± 17%, heart rate by Drafting and human locomotion 3 7.3% after 400-m (cf. Figure 1), and the rate of perceived exertion by 21 ± 10%.…”

“…However, despite the lack of experimental studies, recent reviews on triathlon determinants highlighted that the metabolic demand induced by swimming could have detrimental effects on subsequent cycling adaptations (e.g. Bentley et al 2002). Experimental studies on the effect of prior swimming on subsequent cycling performance have led contradictory results.…”

“…More recently, Delextrat et al (2003) have observed a significant decrease in cycling efficiency (17.5%) after a 750-m swim conducted at a sprint triathlon competition pace when compared with an isolated cycling bout. Actually, in an elite Olympic distance triathlon the strategy of drafting during the cycling part can influence the Drafting and human locomotion 4 energy demands of this section as well as swimming and running strategies (Bentley et al 2002). Delextrat et al (2003) demonstrated the decrease in metabolic load associated with swimming in a drafting position involved two main modifications in physiological parameters during subsequent cycling.…”