Body composition, energy, and fluid turnover in a five-day multistage ultratriathlon: a case study

A multistage ultraendurance triathlon over five times the Ironman distance within five consecutive days leads in one ultraendurance triathlete to minimal changes in body mass (BM; -0.3 kg), fat mass (FM; -1.9 kg), skeletal muscle mass (SM; no change), and total body water (TBW; +1.5 l). This might be explained by the continuously slower race times throughout the race every day and the positive energy balance (8,095 kcal), although he suffered an average energy deficit of -1,848 kcal per Ironman distance. The increase of TBW might be explained by the increase of plasma volume (PV) in the first 3 days. The increase of PV and TBW could be a result of an increase of sodium, which was increased after every stage. We presume that this could be the result of an increased activity of aldosterone

Effect of a multistage ultra-endurance triathlon on body composition: world challenge deca iron triathlon 2006

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a multistage ultra-endurance triathlon on body composition in ultra-triathletes. DESIGN: Descriptive field study. SETTING: The "World Challenge Deca Iron Triathlon 2006" in Monterrey, Mexico, in which every day for 10 consecutive days athletes had to perform the distance of one Ironman triathlon. SUBJECTS: Eight male ultra-endurance athletes (mean (SD) age 40.6 (10.7) years, weight 76.4 (8.4) kg, height 175 (4) cm and body mass index (BMI) 24.7 (2.2) kg/m2). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Determination of body mass, protein mass, body fat, per cent body fat, mineral mass, total body water, intracellular water, extracellular water and lean body mass with a direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance method before the race and after each stage in order to show changes in body composition. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease of body mass (-2.4 kg, p = 0.014), body fat (-5 kg, p = 0.0078) and per cent body fat (-6.4%, p = 0.0078) occurred at the end of the first day compared to values taken in the pre-race period. In contrast, at the same time, a statistically significant increase of protein mass (+0.7 kg, p = 0.035), mineral mass (+0.2 kg, p = 0.04), total body water (+1.8 litres, p = 0.042), intracellular water (+1.6 litres, p = 0.034) and lean body mass (+2.6 kg, p = 0.023) was shown. After the first day until the end of the challenge, body fat (-3 kg, p>0.05) and per cent body fat (-3.9%, p>0.05) showed a statistically significant decrease, whereas the other parameters showed no changes. CONCLUSIONS: Athletes taking part in a multistage ultra-endurance triathlon over 10 Ironman triathlon distances in 10 consecutive days lost 3 kg of body fat; skeletal muscle mass, mineral mass and body water were unchanged

Der Einfluss von zehn aufeinander folgenden Langdistanz- Triathlons auf Körperfett und Muskelmasse – World Challenge Deca Iron 2006

In der vorliegenden Arbeit haben wir die Veränderung der Körpermasse bei 8 erfolgreichen Ultratriathleten bei einem Mehretappen-Triathlon untersucht. Während 10 aufeinander folgenden Tagen haben die Athleten je einen Langdistanz-Triathlon über die Ironman-Distanz von 3.8 km Schwimmen, 180 km Radfahren und 42.2 km Laufen absolviert. Vor und nach dem Rennen wurden Körpergewicht, Hautfaltendicke und Umfänge der Extremitäten gemessen, um daraus die Skelettmuskelmasse sowie den prozentualen Anteil an Körperfett zu berechnen. Gleichzeitig wurde mit einer bioelektrischen Impedanzanalyse (BIA) die fettfreie Körpermasse, der prozentuale Anteil an Körperfett sowie das Körperwasser bestimmt. Das Körpergewicht zeigte nach dem Wettkampf keine signifikante Abnahme (p > 0.05), während die berechnete Skelettmuskelmasse signifikant (p < 0.05) um 1.1 kg und die berechnete Fettmasse signifikant (p < 0.05) um 0.9 kg abnahmen. Schlüsselwörter: Anthropometrie - Bioelektrische Impedanzanalyse - Extremausdauer - Hautfaltendicke - Körperfet

Effects of a Deca Iron Triathlon on body composition: a case study

We investigated energy balance and change of body composition in one athlete in a multistage triathlon, the World Challenge Deca Iron Triathlon 2006, where athletes had to perform one Ironman triathlon of 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42.195 km running per day for ten consecutive days. In one well-experienced male ultra-endurance triathlete, we measured body mass, skinfold thicknesses and perimeters of extremities, in order to calculate skeletal muscle mass, fat mass and percentage of body fat. Energy intake was measured by analysis of nutrition, and energy expenditure was calculated using a portable heart rate monitor. This was performed to quantify energy deficit. In addition, bio-impedance measurements were performed to determine fluid metabolism. The athlete finished the race in 128 hours, 22 minutes and 42 seconds in 3rd position. Body mass decreased by 1 kilogram, skeletal muscle mass decreased by 0.9 kilograms and calculated fat mass decreased by 0.8 kilograms. Total body water increased by 2.8 liters. Total energy expenditure for the Deca Iron was 89,112 kilocalories and a total energy deficit of 11,480 kilocalories resulted. We presume that energy deficit was covered by consumption of adipose subcutaneous tissue as well as skeletal muscle mass; the degradation of muscle mass seems to lead to hypoproteinemic edemas

Pacing strategy and change in body composition during a deca iron triathlon

We investigated the timeline of performances in the three races of the ‘World Challenge Deca Iron Triathlon’, held in 2006, 2007 and 2009, where the athletes completed one Ironman triathlon daily on 10 consecutive days. The association of anthropometric characteristics such as body fat estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis and previous experience in ultra-triathlon with race time was investigated using multiple linear regression analysis. Forty-nine athletes participated in these three races; 23 (47%) participants completed the race within 8,817 (1,322) min. Day 1 was the fastest with 762 (86) min; the slowest was Day 10 with 943 (167) min (P < 0.05). The time per Ironman increased during the race (P < 0.05). Body mass and fat mass decreased whereas lean body mass increased (P < 0.05). Race time was related to both the number of finished Triple Iron triathlons (P = 0.028) and the personal best time in a Triple Iron triathlon (P < 0.0001). We concluded that performance in a Deca Iron triathlon decreased throughout the competition, with the fastest race on Day 1 and the slowest on Day 10. The number of finished Triple Iron triathlons and the personal best time in a Triple Iron triathlon, but not anthropometry, were related to race time. To conclude, athletes need to have a high number of previously completed Triple Iron triathlons, as well as a fast personal best time in a Triple Iron triathlon, in order to finish a Deca Iron triathlon successfully

Effect of a multistage ultraendurance triathlon on aldosterone, vasopressin, extracellular water and urine electrolytes

Prolonged endurance exercise over several days induces increase in extracellular water (ECW). We aimed to investigate an association between the increase in ECW and the change in aldosterone and vasopressin in a multistage ultraendurance triathlon, the 'World Challenge Deca Iron Triathlon' with 10 Ironman triathlons within 10 days. Before and after each Ironman, body mass, ECW, urinary [Na(+)], urinary [K(+)], urinary specific gravity, urinary osmolality and aldosterone and vasopressin in plasma were measured. The 11 finishers completed the total distance of 38 km swimming, 1800 km cycling and 422 km running within 145.5 (18.8) hours and 25 (22) minutes. ECW increased by 0.9 (1.1) L from 14.6 (1.5) L prerace to 15.5 (1.9) L postrace (P < 0.0001). Aldosterone increased from 70.8 (104.5) pg/mL to 102.6 (104.6) pg/mL (P = 0.033); vasopressin remained unchanged. The increase in ECW was related neither to postrace aldosterone nor to postrace vasopressin. In conclusion, ECW and aldosterone increased after this multistage ultraendurance triathlon, but vasopressin did not. The increase in ECW and the increase in aldosterone were not associated