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Int J Sports Med 1993; 14(8): 455-459
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021210
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Physiological Characteristics of Elite and Club Level Female Triathletes During Running

N. M. Laurenson, K. Y. Fulcher, P. Korkia
  • British Association of Sport and Medicine, National Sports Medicine Institute, St. Bartholomew's Medical College,Charterhouse Square, London ECIM 6BQ, U.K.
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Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Most studies of the triathlon have looked at male triathletes with respect to the longer distance events such as the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the physiological characteristics and training protocols of elite and competitive (club) women triathletes who compete at Olympic distance (1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle, 10 km run) to examine the relationship between these factors and running performance in the triathlon. The elite triathletes (n = 10) had a lower body mass and BMI than club level triathletes (n = 9) as well as smaller girths at all measured sites although these differences were not significant. Sum of skinfold thickness measured at four sites was significantly smaller in the elite group (p = 0.05), yet, wide individual variations were found within each group. The amount of training undertaken by individuals in both groups varied markedly; however, overall the elite did more training in all disciplines. The V̇O2max measured on the treadmill was significantly higher (p=0.03) in the elite women (65.6±6.0 ml· kg-1· min -1) as compared to the club level women (60.4±3.1 ml·kg-1·min-1). The elite triathletes were significantly more economical, showing a lowered relative oxygen consumption (% V̇O2max), (p=0.008); lowered heart rate (p=0.01) and lowered blood lactate values (p=0.03) at 15km· h-1. The elite group were also much more efficient runners at 15km·h-1 when looking at V̇E/V̇O2 (p=0.05). An association was found between run race time and %V̇O2max at 15km·h-1 (p=0.04). The results suggest that there is no ideal nor unique anthropometric profile that can be established for female triathletes especially with respect to running time and overall performance. The widespread differences in physiological variables found between the two groups confirms the important contribution factors such as these make to performance.

Keywords

Triathlete - female - training - anthropometric - V̇O2max

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