The Effects Of Prior Swimming And Cycling On Cardiorespiratory Variables In Highly-trained Female Sprint-distance Triathletes

Abstract

PURPOSE To determine the performance and cardiorespiratory effects of prior swimming and cycling on the sprint-distance triathlon run in female age-group triathletes. METHODS Eight highly-trained female age-group triathletes (21–38 years) having completed a sub-2:31 Olympic-distance triathlon in the previous year were selected for the study. Each performed a run VO2max and a cycle. VO2max test plus three experimental run conditions as 1) 25-minute maximal run (MR), 2) maximal sprint distance triathlon (ST) [15-minute swim, 40-minute cycle, 25-minute run (STR)], and 3) 25-minute run at the pace determined from ST (ATR). Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at 5, 15, and 25 minutes while heart rate was recorded throughout. RESULTS The subjects had a mean VO2max running of 53.0 ± 3.9mL/kg/min and a mean VO2max cycling of 49.1 ± 4.7. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three run performances (p>0.05) on HR (absolute, %max, %threshold), LA, VO2 (absolute, %max, %threshold), and RPE. A significant difference was found at the three timing points (5, 15, 25 minutes) for HR (p <0.01), LA (p <0.01), VO2 (p <0.05), and RPE (p <0.01). During all runs, subjects worked between 80 and 90% of VO2max with HR over 90% of maximum at 15 and 25 minutes. There was no significant difference in distance covered during MR and STR (p <0.05). CONCLUSION The run portion of a sprint-distance triathlon is not adversely affected by the prior swim and cycle. The short duration of sprint-distance triathlons allows highly-trained athletes to perform at a high percentage of VO2max (84.4%) during the run segment.