Relationship between In-Race Nutrition and Experience Level on Overall Finish Time for Ironman Triathletes

Abstract

Nutrition and experience level of triathletes are two factors that can affect overall finish time in an Ironman triathlon. While there appears to be a dose-response relationship between in race calories consumed and Ironman performance, there is little to no current research linking this with the experience level of the triathletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present investigation is to determine the relationship between years participating in triathlon, calories per hour on the bike, and overall ironman finish time. METHODS: Ironman triathletes (n=152) were surveyed at Ironman Wisconsin and Ironman World Championships to determine their in-race nutrition strategy and years of experience in triathlon. A multivariate regression was used to determine if there was a relationship between years participating in triathlon, calories per hour consumed on the bike, and overall ironman finish time. RESULTS: The overall regression model was statistically significant F(8, 284)= 2.27, p < .05. Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test revealed that the number of years in triathlon was not a significant predictor of finish time (p= .836), however the number of years in triathlon was uniquely significant in the prediction of calories consumed per hour on the bike (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no relationship between number of years in triathlon and overall finish time, there was a significant relationship between number of years in triathlon and prediction of calories consumed per hour on the bike. This suggests that the more experienced Ironman triathletes consumed more calories per hour on the bike.