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

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