Abstract
Triathlon is characterized by the multidisciplinary nature of the sport where swimming, cycling, and running are completed sequentially in different events, such as the sprint, Olympic, long-distance, and Ironman formats. The large number of training sessions and overall volume undertaken by triathletes to improve fitness and performance can also increase the risk of injury, illness, or excessive fatigue. Short- and medium-term individualized training plans, periodization strategies, and work/rest balance are necessary to minimize interruptions to training due to injury, illness, or maladaptation. Even in the absence of health and wellbeing concerns, it is unclear whether cellular signals triggered by multiple training stimuli that drive training adaptations each day interfere with each other. Distribution of training intensity within and between different sessions is an important aspect of training. Both internal (perceived stress) and external loads (objective metrics) should be considered when monitoring training load. Incorporating strength training to complement the large body of endurance work in triathlon can help avoid overuse injuries. We explore emerging trends and strategies from the latest literature and evidence-based knowledge for improving training readiness and performance during competition in triathlon.
Highlights
Triathlon is characterized by the multidisciplinary nature of the sport where swimming, cycling, and running are completed sequentially within the same event
In addition to the high training volumes typically undertaken for endurance sports, training for three different sporting disciplines simultaneously requires thoughtful planning of a large number of training sessions every week [1,2]
This review examines the physiological challenges of simultaneous multidisciplinary training and health risks associated with triathlon, individualized periodization and training strategies, and emerging trends in triathlon preparation
Summary
Triathlon is characterized by the multidisciplinary nature of the sport where swimming, cycling, and running are completed sequentially within the same event. To achieve optimal training progression leading to best race performance, various training-load monitoring tools have been developed to assist athletes and coaches in evaluating the readiness to perform, risk of illness and/or injury, and readiness to return to play from injury [4,5]. Carefully constructed individualized training plans should promote improvements in fitness capacities and performance, while avoiding setbacks These setbacks are often caused by health-related issues (injuries) that follow sudden or abrupt increases or reductions in training loads [5]. Clinical practical recommendations center on reducing state-level stressors and educating athletes, coaches, and support staff in proactive stress management: Develop resilience strategies that help athletes manage negative life events, thoughts, emotions, and physiological states; Education for stress management techniques, confidence building, and goal setting; Reduce training/competition loads after negative life events to mitigate risk of illness; Implement periodical stress assessments. It is recommended that: Ongoing illness (and injury) surveillance systems should be implemented; Athletes be monitored for subclinical signs of illness, such as non-specific symptoms; Athletes be monitored for early symptoms and signs of over-reaching or overtraining
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