Alterations in running economy and mechanics after maximal cycling in triathletes: influence of performance level (original) (raw)

Running Stride Length And Rate Are Changed And Mechanical Efficiency Is Preserved After Cycling In Middle-Level Triathletes

Scientific Reports, 2019

Although cycling impairs the subsequent metabolic cost and performance of running in some triathletes, the consequences on mechanical efficiency (Eff) and kinetic and potential energy fluctuations of the body center of mass are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of previous cycling on the cost-of-transport, Eff, mechanical energy fluctuations (Wtot), spring stiffness (Kleg and Kvert) and spatiotemporal parameters. Fourteen middle-level triathletes (mean ± SD: maximal oxygen uptake, \dot{{\rm{V}}}$$V̇O2max = 65.3 ± 2.7 ml.kg−1.min−1, age = 30 ± 5 years, practice time = 6.8 ± 3.0 years) performed four tests. Two maximal oxygen uptake tests on a cycle ergometer and treadmill, and two submaximal 20-minute running tests (14 km.h−1) with (prior-cycling) and without (control) a previous submaximal 30-minute cycling test. No differences were observed between the control and post-cycling groups in Eff or Wtot. The Eff remains unchanged between conditions. O...

The effect of cycling followed by running on respiratory muscle performance in elite and competition triathletes

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2002

This study investigated the possibility of there being differences in respiratory muscle strength and endurance in elite and competition triathletes who have similar maximal oxygen uptakes ( _ V V O 2max ) and ventilatory thresholds (Th vent ). Five internationally-ranked elite, [mean (SD) age 23.8 (1.4) years] and six nationallyand regionally-ranked competition [age 21.1 (1.1) years] male triathletes performed two successive trials: first an incremental cycle test to assess _ V V O 2max and Th vent and second 20 min of cycling followed by 20 min of running (C-R) at intensities higher than 85% _ V V O 2max . Cardioventilatory data were collected every minute during the two trials, using an automated breath-by-breath system. Maximal expiratory and inspiratory (P Imax ) strength were assessed before and 10 min after C-R from the functional residual capacity. Respiratory muscle endurance was assessed 1 day before and 30 min after C-R by measuring the time limit (t lim ). The results showed firstly that during C-R, the competition triathletes had significantly (P<0.05) higher minute ventilation [mean (SEM) 107.4 (3.1) compared to 99.8 (3.7) lAEmin -1 ], breathing frequency [44.4 (2.0) compared to 40.2 (3.4) AEmin -1 ] and heart rate [166 (3) compared to 159 (4) beatsAEmin -1 ] and secondly that after C-R, they had significantly lower P Imax [127.1 (4.2) compared to 130.7 (3.0) cmH 2 O] and t lim [2:35 (0:29) compared to 4:12 (0:20) min] than the elite triathletes. We conclude that, despite similar _ V V O 2max

Physiological assessment of isolated running does not directly replicate running capacity after triathlon-specific cycling

Journal of Sports Sciences, 2014

Triathlon running is affected by prior cycling and power output during triathlon cycling is variable in nature. We compared constant and triathlon-specific variable power cycling and their effect on subsequent submaximal running physiology. Nine well-trained male triathletes (age 24.6 ± 4.6 years, _ VO 2peak 4.5 ± 0.4 L · min −1 ; mean ± SD) performed a submaximal incremental run test, under three conditions: no prior exercise and after a 1 h cycling trial at 65% of maximal aerobic power with either a constant or a variable power profile. The variable power protocol involved multiple 10-90 s intermittent efforts at 40-140% maximal aerobic power. During cycling, pulmonary ventilation (22%, ±14%; mean; ±90% confidence limits), blood lactate (179%, ±48%) and rating of perceived exertion (7.3%, ±10.2%) were all substantially higher during variable than during constant power cycling. At the start of the run, blood lactate was 64%, ±61% higher after variable compared to constant power cycling, which decreased running velocity at 4 mM lactate threshold by 0.6, ±0.9 km · h −1 . Physiological responses to incremental running are negatively affected by prior cycling and, to a greater extent, by variable compared to even-paced cycling. Testing and training of triathletes should account foe higher physiological cost of triathlon-specific cycling and its effect on subsequent running. 150 170 190 HR (b . min -1

Effects of Cycling on Subsequent Running Performance, Stride Length, and Muscle Oxygen Saturation in Triathletes

Sports, 2019

Running performance is a determinant factor for victory in Sprint and Olympic distance triathlon. Previous cycling may impair running performance in triathlons, so brick training becomes an important part of training. Wearable technology that is used by triathletes can offer several metrics for optimising training in real-time. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of previous cycling on subsequent running performance in a field test, while using kinematics metrics and SmO 2 provided by wearable devices that are potentially used by triathletes. Ten trained triathletes participated in a randomised crossover study, performing two trial sessions that were separated by seven days: the isolated run trial (IRT) and the bike-run trial (BRT). Running kinematics, physiological outcomes, and perceptual parameters were assessed before and after each running test. The running distance was significantly lower in the BRT when compared to the IRT, with a decrease in stride length of 0.1 m (p = 0.00) and higher %SmO 2 (p = 0.00) in spite of the maximal intensity of exercise. No effects were reported in vertical oscillation, ground contact time, running cadence, and average heart rate. These findings may only be relevant to 'moderate level' triathletes, but not to 'elite' ones. Triathletes might monitor their %SmO 2 and stride length during brick training and then compare it with isolated running to evaluate performance changes. Using wearable technology (near-infrared spectroscopy, accelerometry) for specific brick training may be a good option for triathletes.

Cycling attributes that enhance running performance after the cycle section in triathlon

International journal of sports physiology and performance, 2013

To determine how cycling with a variable (triathlon-specific) power distribution affects subsequent running performance and quantify relationships between an individual cycling power profile and running ability after cycling. Twelve well-trained male triathletes (VO2peak 4.9 ± 0.5 L/min; mass 73.5 ± 7.7 kg; mean ± SD) undertook a cycle VO2peak and maximal aerobic power (MAP) test and a power profile involving 6 maximal efforts (6 s to 10 min). Each subject then performed 2 experimental 1-h cycle trials, both at a mean power of 65% MAP, at either variable power (VAR) ranging from 40% to 140% MAP or constant power (CON) followed by an outdoor 9.3-km time-trial run. Subjects also completed a control 9.3-km run with no preceding exercise. The 9.3-km run time was 42 ± 37 s slower (mean ± 90% confidence limits [CL]) after VAR (35:32 ± 3:18 min:s, mean ± SD) compared with CON cycling (34:50 ± 2:49 min:s). This decrement after VAR appeared primarily in the first half of the run (35 ± 20 s; ...

Physiological and biomechanical adaptations to the cycle to run transition in Olympic triathlon: review and practical recommendations for training

British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2000

Current knowledge of the physiological, biomechanical, and sensory eVects of the cycle to run transition in the Olympic triathlon (1.5 km, 10 km, 40 km) is reviewed and implications for the training of junior and elite triathletes are discussed. Triathlon running elicits hyperventilation, increased heart rate, decreased pulmonary compliance, and exercise induced hypoxaemia. This may be due to exercise intensity, ventilatory muscle fatigue, dehydration, muscle fibre damage, a shift in metabolism towards fat oxidation, and depleted glycogen stores after a 40 km cycle. The energy cost (C R ) of running during the cycle to run transition is also increased over that of control running. The increase in C R varies from 1.6% to 11.6% and is a reflection of triathlete ability level. This increase may be partly related to kinematic alterations, but research suggests that most biomechanical parameters are unchanged. A more forward leaning trunk inclination is the most significant observation reported. Running pattern, and thus running economy, could also be influenced by sensorimotor perturbations related to the change in posture. Technical skill in the transition area is obviously very important. The conditions under which the preceding cycling section is performed-that is, steady state or stochastic power output, drafting or non-drafting-are likely to influence the speed of adjustment to transition. The extent to which a decrease in the average 10 km running speed occurs during competition must be investigated further. It is clear that the higher the athlete is placed in the field at the end of the bike section, the greater the importance to their finishing position of both a quick transition area time and optimal adjustment to the physiological demands of the cycle to run transition. The need for, and current methods of, training to prepare junior and elite triathletes for a better transition are critically reviewed in light of the eVects of sequential cycle to run exercise. (Br J Sports Med 2000;34:384-390)

Physiological attributes of triathletes

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2010

Triathlons of all distances can be considered endurance events and consist of the individual disciplines of swimming, cycling and running which are generally completed in this sequential order. While it is expected that elite triathletes would possess high values for submaximal and maximal measures of aerobic fitness, little is known about how these values compare with those of single-sport endurance athletes. Earlier reviews, conducted in the 1980s, concluded that triathletes possessed lower V O 2 max values than other endurance athletes. An update of comparisons is of interest to determine if the physiological capacities of elite triathletes now reflect those of single-sport athletes or whether these physiological capacities are compromised by the requirement to cross-train for three different disciplines. It was found that although differences in the physiological attributes during swimming, cycling and running are evident among triathletes, those who compete at an international level possess V O 2 max values that are indicative of success in endurance-based individual sports. Furthermore, various physiological parameters at submaximal workloads have been used to describe the capacities of these athletes. Only a few studies have reported the lactate threshold among triathletes with the majority of studies reporting the ventilatory threshold. Although observed differences among triathletes for both these submaximal measures are complicated by the various methods used to determine them, the reported values for triathletes are similar to those for trained cyclists and runners. Thus, from the limited data available, it appears that triathletes are able to obtain similar physiological values as single-sport athletes despite dividing their training time among three disciplines.

Comparison of absolute and relative phisiological responses of cyclists and triathletes

2007

The ventilatory threshold (VT) has been used as an indicator of the lactate threshold and used as a reference for endurance training. The purpose of this study was to compare the maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2MAX ) and the VT during a bicycle ergometer test between cyclists and triathletes. Methods: VO 2MAX was determined by open-circuit spirometry in 12 cyclists and 13 triathletes. The ventilatory equivalent for oxygen consumption, the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide production, partial pressure of oxygen and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (P ET CO 2 ) were plotted in function of the workload. The criterion to determinate the VT was when the ventilatories equivalents increased with a concomitant reduction in the P ET CO 2 . Results and conclusions: There was difference (p < 0.05) for the VO 2MAX (57.72 ± 3.92 and 49.47 ± 5.96 kg·ml -1 ·min -1 ), VO 2 at VT (46,91 ± 5,96 and 42,16 ± 4,97 kg·ml -1 ·min -1 ), and maximal heart rate (FC MAX ) (188.83 ± 12.89 and 174.61 ± 13.79 bpm) between cyclists and triathletes, respectively. Therefore, there was no difference for the %VO 2MAX (81.42 ± 7.61 and 85.18 ± 6.87%), the heart rate at VT (168.5 ± 13.79 and 157.23 ± 16.15 bpm), as well as for the %FC MAX at which VT occurred in these athletes (89.23 ± 6.98 and 90.05 ± 1.04%). In conclusion, cyclists and triathletes showed different aerobic capacity because they had unlike physiological adaptations.

Physiological and metabolic responses of triathletes to a simulated 30-min time-trial in cycling at self-selected intensity

International journal of sports medicine, 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic and physiological responses to a laboratory-based simulated 30-min individual time-trial (ITT 30 ) in cycling at a self-selected intensity. Twelve experienced triathletes (n = 4 women) performed a progressive incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine .VO2max (52 +/- 5 ml x min -1 x kg -1), maximum power output (300 +/- 12 W), and the second ventilatory threshold. Then, the subjects completed an ITT30 at self-selected work intensity on a stationary ergometer equipped with the SRM Training System. In all subjects, during the ITT30, heart rate and minute ventilation increased (p < 0.05) progressively whereas oxygen consumption and power output remained unchanged. Triathletes rode at consistent pacing corresponding to their highest steady state of blood lactate concentration that increased by no more than 1.0 mmol x l -1 during the final 20-min of ITT30. The self-selected intensity of triathletes during ITT30 re...