Triathlon Short Course Sports Profile Part 1 - The Physical
Short course triathlon (Sprint & Olympic distance) has a high demand on both the aerobic and anaerobic systems[1]. For an elite male age grouper, the final finish time for sprint distance may only be around 1hr and for an Olympic distance 2hrs.
The traditional physical parameters defined for successful triathlon performance are economy/efficiency, lactate threshold, critical power, and maximal O2 uptake. These factors all interact to affect an athlete’s oxygen uptake kinetics which is affected by the rate of carbohydrate oxidation, rate of heat storage, rate of anaerobic capacity utilisation, and rate of metabolite accumulation. As described by the figure to the right. [2].
High performing triathletes generally possess a high VO2max with some studies indicating the running values are around 68.9 ml/kg/min up to 75.4 ml/kg/min[3].
Furthermore, data shows that there is a significantly increased energy expenditure when running off the bike compared to an isolated run[4]. This could be due to that after cycling the kinematics of running can vary affecting an individual’s efficiency and hence their overall physical load. It has been shown that cycling leads to changes in the ankle joint and hence the foot’s contact with the ground; the change is to more dorsi-flexion and an extended knee resulting in higher ground forces and hence an increase in the metabolic cost[5].
Regarding ideal body size/shape for competitive triathlon research indicates that for male’s lower body fat and longer/larger limbs (arms, legs, hands, and feet) can be advantageous for performance[6].
One of the amazing things about triathlon is the vast array of racing styles, enabling people to pick what suits them best. Athletes that enjoy racing fast and on the limit would preference more sprint style racing; whereas athletes that prefer the longer, more endurance based races would lean towards 70.3 and Ironman events.
Wanna talk triathlon? Whether you are doing your first race or are a seasonable triathlete, let’s have a chat today about how our programs can help you.
References
[1] Markus G, Arimany A. ITU Triathlon History. InTriathlon Medicine 2020 (pp. 1-2). Springer, Cham.
[2] Millet GP, Vleck VE, Bentley DJ. Physiological requirements in triathlon. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise. 2011; 6(2)
[3] Schäfer S. Performance Requirements and Capacity Profiles in Triathlon: Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlon. 2011
[4] Millet GP, Bentley DJ. The physiological responses to running after cycling in elite junior and senior triathletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2004 Apr;25(03):191-7.
[5] Bonacci J, Green D, Saunders PU, Blanch P, Franettovich M, Chapman AR, Vicenzino B. Change in running kinematics after cycling are related to alterations in running economy in triathletes. Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2010 Jul 1;13(4):460-4.
[6] Landers GJ, Blanksby BA, Ackland TR, Smith D. Morphology and performance of world championship triathletes. Annals of human biology. 2000 Jan 1;27(4):387-400.
