Physiological correlates of simulated sprint-distance triathlon

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between simulated triathlon performance and physiological variables measured during conventional laboratory tests. Seven non-elite, competitive male triathletes completed incremental cycling and running tests in a random order, in addition to a simulated sprint-distance triathlon trial (750 m swim, 500 kJ bike, 5 km run) using a 25 m pool, an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer and motorised treadmill. There were no significant correlations between overall performance time and either running or cycling incremental tests, however significant correlations were found between triathlon run time and both running and cycling incremental tests (Vpeak, r = -.900, p<0.05; V4mmol, r = -.822, p<0.05; Wpeak, r = -.844, p<0.05). Total simulated triathlon time was highly correlated to cycle time (r = .930, p<0.05) and mean cycling power output (r = -.956, p<0.05), whilst there was no significant correlation between either swim time or run time and overall performance time. For non-elite, competitive male triathletes, a performance assessment which better reflects the demands of the cycle phase of triathlon (i.e. a time-trial protocol) may provide a better indication of simulated sprint-distance triathlon performance in comparison to commonly used incremental laboratory tests. Furthermore, cycling performance appears more important to overall performance in simulated sprint-distance triathlon than swimming or running

Reliability of simulated sprint-distance triathlon

To assess reliability of simulated sprint-distance triathlon seven non-elite, male triathletes completed three trials (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), using a 25 m pool, an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer and motorised treadmill. Total times (h, min and s) were 1:17:37 ± 0:06:41, 1:18:22 ± 0:08:59 and 1:18:47 ± 0:09:56. Coefficient of variation (CV) for total performance time was 2.7% between trials 1&2 (CI = 1.7-6.0) and 2.3% between trials 2&3 (CI = 1.5-5.1). Performance CV’s for swim, cycle and run phases were also <5% between trials 2&3. These results show that for non-elite, competitive male triathletes, performance time in simulated sprint-distance triathlon is highly reproducible, with a CV comparable to endurance performances of similar duration (<5%)

Effects of residual fatigue on pace regulation during sprint-distance triathlon running

Introduction: It has been suggested that unique relationships exist between perceived exertion, pacing and physiological responses during triathlon. However, research to date has not clearly established how the interaction of these factors is affected by residual physiological fatigue, particularly during running performance over distances relevant to sprint-distance triathlon. This study therefore investigated the effects of the preceding swim and cycle on pacing strategy, perceived exertion, and physiological status during sprint-distance triathlon running. Methods: Eight amateur male triathletes (mean ± SD: age 36.0 ± 5.7 yrs, mass 75.7 ± 5.3 kg) completed two field-based performance trials. The first was a sprint-distance triathlon (0.75 km swim, 20 km cycle, 5 km run) and the second an isolated 5 km run time-trial, each separated by 7-18 days and utilising the same flat out-and-back road course. Wrist-mounted GPS devices (Garmin 310XT, UK) recorded performance time, running speed (km•h-1) and heart rate during each trial. Participants recorded ratings of perceived exertion (Borg 6-20 scale) every kilometre using a wrist-mounted recording sheet and pen. Core temperature (CorTemp, HQInc, USA), blood lactate concentration (Lactate Pro, Kodak, Japan) and body mass (to 0.1 kg; Seca 875) were also measured immediately prior to, and after, each run. Results: Performance time for isolated running (19:28 ± 00:32) was ~7% quicker than triathlon running (20:48 ± 00:43) (p<0.01), with a similar positive pacing strategy displayed throughout both trials (figure 1). Initial core temperature, blood lactate concentration and heart rate values were all significantly higher for the triathlon run compared to the isolated run (p<0.01), with no differences in final values for these measures. No significant differences were observed for initial RPE, rate of RPE increase, or final RPE between runs. Discussion/Conclusion: Prior swimming and cycling impair performance but do not affect pacing strategy during sprint-distance triathlon running. Reduced performance may be attributed to the residual physiological strain observed at the start of the triathlon run. However, the maintenance of scalar-linear increases in RPE appears to be the primary regulator of pacing strategy during triathlon running, with physiological responses only indirectly related to this process

Effect of plyometric training on swimming block start performance in adolescents

This study aimed to identify the effect of plyometric training (PT), when added to habitual training (HT) regimes, on swim start performance. After the completion of a baseline competitive swim start, 22 adolescent swimmers were randomly assigned to either a PT (n = 11, age: 13.1 ± 1.4 yr, mass: 50.6 ± 12.3 kg, stature: 162.9 ± 11.9 cm) or an HT group (n = 11, age: 12.6 ± 1.9 yr, mass: 43.3 ± 11.6 kg, stature: 157.6 ± 11.9 cm). Over an 8-week preseason period, the HT group continued with their normal training program, whereas the PT group added 2 additional 1-hour plyometric-specific sessions, incorporating prescribed exercises relating to the swimming block start (SBS). After completion of the training intervention, post-training swim start performance was reassessed. For both baseline and post-trials, swim performance was recorded using videography (50Hz Canon MVX460) in the sagital plane of motion. Through the use of Silicon Coach Pro analysis package, data revealed significantly greater change between baseline and post-trials for PT when compared with the HT group for swim performance time to 5.5 m (−0.59 s vs. −0.21 s; p < 0.01) and velocity of take-off to contact (0.19 ms−1 vs. −0.07 ms−1; p < 0.01). Considering the practical importance of a successful swim start to overall performance outcome, the current study has found that inclusion of suitable and safely implemented PT to adolescent performers, in addition to HT routines, can have a positive impact on swim start performance

Assessment influence on peak power output and road cycling performance prediction

The influence of cycling assessment on peak power output and road-based cycling performance prediction was evaluated in twelve well-trained amateur cyclists (mean SD; age, 35 8 yr; body mass, 74.1 6.7 kg; stature: 181 6 cm). Determining peak power output, cyclists completed a graded i) ramp assessment on a Kingcycle air-braked ergometer (PPOKING), ii) continuous assessment on a SRM electromagnetically-braked ergometer (PPOSRM), and iii) discontinuous assessment on a Monark friction-braked ergometer (PPOMON). Furthermore, a 40-km road-based individual cycle race was completed. Throughout each, power was measured using an SRM Training System. Despite no differences (P > 0.05) in O2peak across graded assessments, PPOKING (387 49W) was 3.6% higher (P 0.05: PPOSRM; r = -0.42; P > 0.05: PPOMON; r = -0.41: P > 0.05). Independent of determination, peak power output was strongly related to performance power and may provide effective means of obtained training and racing intensities

Exploring flow occurrence in elite golf

Research on flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975) has traditionally focused on reactive, externally-paced sports (e.g., tennis) without exploring those that are self-paced and stop-start in nature. This study investigated the occurrence of flow in a sample of thirteen elite golfers by conducting semi-structured interviews discussing: (i) their experiences of flow, (ii) factors that influenced flow occurrence, and (iii) the controllability of these experiences. Results shared similarity with existing research in terms of the majority of influencing factors reported, including motivation, preparation, focus, psychological state, environmental and situational conditions, and arousal, and that flow was reported to be at least potentially controllable. Golf-specific influences were also noted, including pre-shot routines, use of psychological interventions, standard of performance, and maintenance of physical state, suggesting that flow may have occurred differently for this sample. Findings are discussed and applied recommendations are made that may help golfers put relevant factors in place to increase the likelihood of experiencing flow

Aurora Volume 16

College formerly located at Olivet, Illinois and known as Olivet University, 1912-1923; Olivet College, 1923-1939, Olivet Nazarene College, 1940-1986, Olivet Nazarene University, 1986-https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/arch_yrbks/1018/thumbnail.jp

The influence of mid-event deception on psychophysiological status and pacing can persist across consecutive disciplines and enhance self-paced multi-modal endurance performance

Purpose: To examine the effects of deceptively aggressive bike pacing on performance, pacing, and associated physiological and perceptual responses during simulated sprint-distance triathlon. Methods: Ten non-elite, competitive male triathletes completed three simulated sprint-distance triathlons (0.75 km swim, 500 kJ bike, 5 km run), the first of which established personal best ‘baseline’ performance (BL). During the remaining two trials athletes maintained a cycling power output 5% greater than BL, before completing the run as quickly as possible. However, participants were informed of this aggressive cycling strategy before and during only one of the two trials (HON). Prior to the alternate trial (DEC), participants were misinformed that cycling power output would equal that of BL, with on-screen feedback manipulated to reinforce this deception. Results: Compared to BL, a significantly faster run performance was observed following DEC cycling (p < .05) but not following HON cycling (1348 ± 140 vs. 1333 ± 129 s and 1350 ± 135 s, for BL, DEC and HON, respectively). As such, magnitude-based inferences suggest HON running was more likely to be slower, than faster, compared to BL, and that DEC running was probably faster than both BL and HON. Despite a trend for overall triathlon performance to be quicker during DEC (4339 ± 395 s) compared to HON (4356 ± 384 s), the only significant and almost certainly meaningful differences were between each of these trials and BL (4465 ± 420 s; p < .05). Generally, physiological and perceptual strain increased with higher cycling intensities, with little, if any, substantial difference in physiological and perceptual response during each triathlon run. Conclusions: The present study is the first to show that mid-event pace deception can have a practically meaningful effect on multi-modal endurance performance, though the relative importance of different psychophysiological and emotional responses remains unclear. Whilst our findings support the view that some form of anticipatory ‘template’ may be used by athletes to interpret levels of psychophysiological and emotional strain, and regulate exercise intensity accordingly, they would also suggest that individual constructs such as RPE and affect may be more loosely tied with pacing than previously suggested