The Effect of Coaching on Ironman Training Volume and Injury Rate

Abstract

A considerable amount of training is required to complete an Ironman triathlon, leading some competitors to hire coaches in an effort to prevent injury or increase training efficiency. PURPOSE: To assess differences in training volume and injury rates between Ironman competitors with and without hired coaches. METHODS: A 53-question, two-part survey addressing economic impact along with injury and performance, was made available through an electronic tablet to all competitors during the two day on-site registration at the 2014 Ironman Chattanooga. Of the 2,500 registered competitors, 206 volunteered to complete the survey (8.2% of total), with males completing 64.7% of the surveys. Combined, the mean competitor age was 40.6 ±10.1 years, and the mean number of months spent training for the event was 8.1 ±3.3. RESULTS: Overall, 41.1% of the competitors hired coaches to assist with training (50.8% of females and 35.8% of males). The overall injury rate amongst competitors was 36.3% for an injury in the past 12 months that caused at least a 1-week break in training, and 27.1% for at least a 2-week change in training due to pain. Further, 21.1% reported having injury-related pain on competition day. There was no difference in either the ‘1-week’ injury rate (p=.618), or the ‘2-week’ injury rate (p=.890) when comparing competitors with and without a coach. Training volume was not different between men and women, with the overall group averaging 18.08 ±9.3 hours per week of total training (89.1% from swim, bike, run; 10.9% from resistance training and ‘other’). Women with hired coaches had significantly higher overall training volume compared to women without hired coaches (21.17 ±9.6 v. 16.04 ±7.3 hours, respectively; p=.028). However, there was no training volume difference between men with and without hired coaches (17.72 ±5.5 v. 18.06 ±11.0 hours, respectively; p=.854). CONCLUSIONS: Hiring coaches for Ironman training does not appear to reduce injury rates for men or women. There was also no noticeable difference in training volume for men with regard to coaching status. Women, however, appear to have higher training volumes associated with hiring a coach, yet no increase in injury.