Specific aspects of contemporary triathlon: implications for physiological analysis and performance

Bentley, D.J., Millet, G.P., Vleck, V.E. and McNaughton, L.R. 2002. Specific aspects of contemporary triathlon: implications for physiological analysis and performance. Sports Medicine. 32 (6), pp. 345-359.

TitleSpecific aspects of contemporary triathlon: implications for physiological analysis and performance
AuthorsBentley, D.J., Millet, G.P., Vleck, V.E. and McNaughton, L.R.
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.

JournalSports Medicine
Journal citation32 (6), pp. 345-359
ISSN0112-1642
Year2002
Web address (URL)http://sportsmedicine.adisonline.com/pt/re/spo/abstract.00007256-200232060-00001.htm;jsessionid=FT1c873LTzNk1yR2dkY7PPVmfQXSnZM1qLpXqtYgMbgrkvnfRHhq!1671728877!-949856145!8091!-1
Publication dates
Published2002

Related outputs

REV5901: chondroprotective effects post mechanical trauma
Parker, E., Noureen, S., Getting, S.J., Vleck, V.E., Hucklebridge, F. and Kerrigan, M.J.P. 2010. REV5901: chondroprotective effects post mechanical trauma. Physiological Society Meeting 19. University of Manchester

The effects of REV5901 on chondrocyte viability following mechanical trauma
Parker, E., Getting, S.J., Hucklebridge, F., Vleck, V.E. and Kerrigan, M.J.P. 2010. The effects of REV5901 on chondrocyte viability following mechanical trauma. British Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting. Newcastle upon Tyne 22 - 23 Jun 2009 Wiley.

Knee forces and inflammation: the effects of foot strike patterns and footwear
Parker, E., Domah, S., Getting, S.J., Vleck, V.E., Hucklebridge, F. and Kerrigan, M.J.P. 2010. Knee forces and inflammation: the effects of foot strike patterns and footwear. Physiological Society Meeting 19. University of Manchester

Chondroitin and glucosamine supplementation results in increased chondrocyte viability post mechanical trauma in vitro
Parker, E., Begum, N., Wunderlich, C., Ravichandran, N., Getting, S.J., Vleck, V.E., Hucklebridge, F. and Kerrigan, M.J.P. 2010. Chondroitin and glucosamine supplementation results in increased chondrocyte viability post mechanical trauma in vitro. Physiological Society Meeting 19. University of Manchester

Physiological differences between cycle and run training: lessons from triathletes
Millet, G.P., Vleck, V.E. and Bentley, D.J. 2009. Physiological differences between cycle and run training: lessons from triathletes. Sports Medicine. 39 (3), pp. 179-206.

Triathlon injury
Vleck, V.E. and Bentley, D.J. 2009. Triathlon injury. in: Epidemiology of injury in olympic sports Wiley. pp. 294-320

The effects of REV5901 on chondrocyte viability following mechanical trauma
Parker, E., Getting, S.J., Hucklebridge, F., Vleck, V.E. and Kerrigan, M.J.P. 2009. The effects of REV5901 on chondrocyte viability following mechanical trauma. pA2 Online. From the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre London, Winter 2009 Meeting: Proceedings of the British Pharmacological Society. 7 (4), p. P0149. https://doi.org/http://www.pa2online.org/abstracts/Vol7Issue4abst127P.pdf

Physiological differences between cycling and running: lessons from triathletes
Millet, G.P., Vleck, V.E. and Bentley, D.J. 2009. Physiological differences between cycling and running: lessons from triathletes. Sports Medicine. 39 (3), pp. 179-206. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200939030-00002

Pacing during an elite Olympic distance triathlon: comparison between male and female competitors
Vleck, V.E., Bentley, D.J., Millet, G.P. and Bürgi, A. 2008. Pacing during an elite Olympic distance triathlon: comparison between male and female competitors. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 11 (4), pp. 424-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2007.01.006

Influence of performance on oxygen uptake kinetics in heavy intensity swimming
Vleck, V.E., Reis, J., Millet, G.P., Bruno, P. and Alves, F. 2008. Influence of performance on oxygen uptake kinetics in heavy intensity swimming. 13th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. Estoril, Portugal 9 - 12 July 2008

Validity of a respiratory snorkel for determination of oxygen kinetics in swimming
Reis, J., Millet, G.P., Vleck, V.E. and Alves, F. 2008. Validity of a respiratory snorkel for determination of oxygen kinetics in swimming. 13th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. Estoril, Portugal 9 - 12 July 2008

The relationships between science and sport: application in triathlon
Millet, G.P., Bentley, D.J. and Vleck, V.E. 2007. The relationships between science and sport: application in triathlon. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2 (3).

The effects of exercise intensity or drafting during swimming on subsequent cycling performance in triathletes
Bentley, D.J., Libicz, S., Jougler, A., Coste, O., Manetta, J., Chamari, K. and Millet, G.P. 2007. The effects of exercise intensity or drafting during swimming on subsequent cycling performance in triathletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 10 (4), pp. 234-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2006.05.004

Lactate threshold does not influence metabolic responses during exercise in cyclists
Bentley, D.J., McNaughton, L.R., Roberts, S., Vleck, V.E., Fairbanks, L. and Marinaki, T. 2007. Lactate threshold does not influence metabolic responses during exercise in cyclists. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 28 (6), pp. 506-512. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-924604

Injury, illness and performance decrement in British National Squad triathletes: a prospective study
Vleck, V.E. and Bentley, D.J. 2007. Injury, illness and performance decrement in British National Squad triathletes: a prospective study. 12th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. Jyväskylä, Finland 11 - 14 July 2007

The consequences of swim, cycle, and run performance on overall result in elite Olympic distance triathlon
Vleck, V.E., Bürgi, A. and Bentley, D.J. 2006. The consequences of swim, cycle, and run performance on overall result in elite Olympic distance triathlon. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 27 (1), pp. 43-48. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-837502

Physiological responses during submaximal interval swimming training: effects of interval duration
Bentley, D.J., Roels, B., Hallard, P., Fauquet, C., Libicz, S. and Millet, G.P. 2005. Physiological responses during submaximal interval swimming training: effects of interval duration. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 8 (4), pp. 392-402. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80054-4

The isocapnic buffering phase and mechanical efficiency: relationship to cycle time trial performance of short and long duration
Bentley, D.J., Vleck, V.E. and Millet, G.P. 2005. The isocapnic buffering phase and mechanical efficiency: relationship to cycle time trial performance of short and long duration. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology. 30 (1), pp. 46-60.

Immunological changes after both exercise and activity in chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study
White, P.D., Nye, K.E., Pinching, A.J., Yap, T.M., Power, N., Vleck, V.E., Bentley, D.J., Thomas, J.M., Buckland, M. and Parkin, J.M. 2004. Immunological changes after both exercise and activity in chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 12 (2), pp. 51-66. https://doi.org/10.1300/J092v12n02_06

The physiological responses to running after cycling in elite junior and senior triathletes
Millet, G.P. and Bentley, D.J. 2004. The physiological responses to running after cycling in elite junior and senior triathletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 25, pp. 191-197. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-45259

Comparison of Wpeak and the ventilation threshold from two different incremental exercise tests: relationship to endurance performance
Bentley, D.J. and McNaughton, L.R. 2003. Comparison of Wpeak and the ventilation threshold from two different incremental exercise tests: relationship to endurance performance. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 6 (4), pp. 422-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(03)80268-2

L'entrainement en triathlon: synthese et perspectives de recherche
Vleck, V.E., Bentley, D.J. and Cochrane, T. 2003. L'entrainement en triathlon: synthese et perspectives de recherche. Science & Motricite. 50, pp. 33-53.

Aerobic fitness, fatigue, and physical disability in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Tench, C., Bentley, D.J., Vleck, V.E., McCurdie, I., White, P.D. and D'Cruz, D. 2002. Aerobic fitness, fatigue, and physical disability in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Journal of Rheumatology. 29 (3), pp. 474-481.

The effect of a high carbohydrate meal on endurance running capacity
Chryssanthopoulos, C., Williams, C., Nowitz, A., Kotsiopoulou, C. and Vleck, V.E. 2002. The effect of a high carbohydrate meal on endurance running capacity. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. 12 (2), pp. 157-171.

Peak power output, the lactate threshold, and time trial performance in cyclists
Bentley, D.J., McNaughton, L.R., Thompson, D., Vleck, V.E. and Batterham, A. 2001. Peak power output, the lactate threshold, and time trial performance in cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 33 (12), pp. 2077-2081.

Physiological and biomechanical adaptations to the cycle to run transition in Olympic triathlon: review and practical recommendations for training
Millet, G.P. and Vleck, V.E. 2000. Physiological and biomechanical adaptations to the cycle to run transition in Olympic triathlon: review and practical recommendations for training. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 34, pp. 384-390. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.34.5.384

Injury and training characteristics of male elite, development squad and club triathletes
Vleck, V.E. and Garbutt, G. 1998. Injury and training characteristics of male elite, development squad and club triathletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 19 (1), pp. 38-42.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/93vyv/specific-aspects-of-contemporary-triathlon-implications-for-physiological-analysis-and-performance


Share this

Usage statistics

137 total views
0 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.