Thesis (D.P.E.)--Springfield College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

The Ironman triathlon was created in 1978 by combining events with the longest distances for races then contested in Hawaii in swimming, cycling, and running. The Half Ironman triathlon was formed using half the distances of each of the events in the Ironman. The Olympic distance triathlon was created by combining events with the longest distances for races sanctioned by the major federations for swimming, cycling, and running. The relative importance of each event in overall race outcome was not given consideration when determining the distances of each of the races in modern triathlons. Thus, there is a general belief among triathletes that the swimming portion of the standard-distance triathlons is underweighted. We present a nonlinear Bayesian model for triathlon finishing times that models time and standard deviation of time as a function of distance. We use this model to create "fair" triathlons by equating the standard deviations of the times taken to complete the swimming, cycling, and running events. Thus, in these "fair" triathlons, a one standard deviation improvement in any event has an equivalent impact on overall race time.

Inledning Triathlon är en uthållighetsidrott där momenten simning, cykel och löpning utförs i en följd. Svensk triathlon har vuxit beträffande antal utövare och tävlingar sedan år 2005. Syfte och frågeställningar Studiens syfte var att undersöka hur de tidigare outforskade svenska triathleter är fördelade beträffande kön, ålder och huvudsaklig tävlingsdistans, samt vilka skador som förekommer Hur ser fördelningen ut mellan män och kvinnor som tränar/tävlar mot viss distans? Hur ser fördelningen ut mellan olika kategorier av erfarenhet (år av idrottsutövande) mellan dem som tränar/tävlar mot viss distans? Hur är prevalensen för olika skador och hur ser skadepanoramat ut? Hur är prevalensen för skadeproblematik i förhållande till huvudsaklig tävlingsdistans? Metod En enkätundersökning baserad på tidigare internationell forskning bestående av tolv flervalsfrågor skapades beträffande den svenske triathletens bakgrund, erfarenheter, tränings- och/eller tävlingsdistans och skadeproblematik. Totalt inkom 614 varav 564 (92 %) kompletta svar. Studiens resultat visar på att triathleter som tränar och/eller tävlar i sprintdistans är de som är mest skadefria (30 %). Ökad distans ger ökad risk för skador och/eller överbelastningsproblematik, nästan 18 % av de som tränar/tävlar i längre distans än sprint har drabbats av akut muskelbristning. Flest andel (49,3 %) triathleter påträffas i olympisk och/eller halv Ironman-distans. Något fler kvinnor (24 %) än män (15 %) är aktiva inom sprint och färre kvinnor (27 %) än män (36 %) i ultradistans. Slutsats Svensk triathlon och triathleter är i denna studie snarlik fördelade likt tidigare internationell forskning. Manliga triathleter tränar och/eller tävlar i längre distans än sprint i större utsträckning (85 %) än kvinnliga (76 %). Det är marginellt fler triathleter som är 40 år eller äldre och flertalet av triathleterna (85 %) tränar och/eller tävlar i olympisk distans eller längre. Överbelastningsproblematik är det som svenska triathleter drabbas av i störst utsträckning (60 %), oavsett tävlingsdistans, och vanligen (64 %) drabbas de nedre extremiteterna. / Introduction Triathlon is the sport in which the athlete compete in the order swimming, cycling and running. Swedish triathlon has since year 2005 grown in numbers of practitioners and events. The aim of this study was to investigate how the previously non-examined Swedish triathlon have developed regarding numbers of events, practitioners, common injuries for the triathletes and at what distances the Swedish triathletes train and compete? The issues to be resolved were: How is the distribution between the sexes and race distance? How is the distribution between different categories of experiences (years as athlete) and different race distances? What is the prevalence for triathlon injuries and what injuries are there? What is the prevalence of injuries among the triathletes in different primary race distances? The method involved previous international research done in the field to serve as a basis for the creation of a questionnaire containing twelve multiple choice questions regarding the Swedish triathletes previous experiences within the sport and previous (if any) injuries sustained during either practice or race. 614 answers were collected of which 562 (92 %) were complete. Results from this study shows that the triathletes which are active at the sprint distance are those who have the highest rate (30 %) of answers with "no injury". Longer race distances means an increased risk for overuse injury, almost 18 % of the triathletes which train and/or compete at the longer distances have suffered from an acute muscle rupture. Most of the triathletes (49,3 %) in this study were active in the Olympic and/or half-Ironman distance. The conclusions of this study are that Swedish triathlon and triathletes are comparable to previous international studies. There is a slight difference between the sexes in race distance; there are slightly more (24 %) women active in sprint than men (15 %) and there are slightly less women (27 %) who are active in the Ironman distance than men (36 %). Among the Swedish triathletes there are marginally more of them who are 40 years of age or more and 85 % of all the triathletes train and/or race in Olympic distance or longer. The Swedish triathletes suffers commonly from overuse injury, regardless of race distance, in the lower extremities. This was the case for 64 % of the triathletes of which who completed the questionnaire.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PRJETO ROB_DISSERTACAO_versao_definitiva.pdf: 171058 bytes, checksum: 016c30d994966fb12e01486270d50373 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Ironman Triathlon consists in 3,8km of swimming, 180 km of cycling followed by 42,2 km of running, lasting an average of 12 hours. The extended exposition to the environmental factors, which the heat and humidity add more difficulty to the maintenance of the thermal equilibrium, brings a considerable dehydration by sweating. These values vary from 1 to 2 L/h. Therefore, it is important to estimate these losses in order to provide proper strategies to the races organizers and athletes themselves, as for the consumption of liquids and electrolytes during the race. The weighting before and after the race has been the method more useful to evaluate these hydric losses. However, it is important to note that not all the weight loss during an ultradistance triathlon reflects a truth fluid deficit. Some authors have suggested that absolute weight loss during an endurance race overestimates the actual fluid deficit. Indeed, 1 to 2 kg is likely to be lost from sources other than fluid, including the fat metabolism and carbohydrate reserves and intracellular water release associated with stored glycogen. The aim of this study is to describe the eletrolitic and hydric alteration found in athletes competing in the Ironman Brasil, held in Florianópolis, SC, Brasil, in the year of 2006 and the potential correction at these values. Data were collected with 26 athletes, which were weighted 15 days, 7 days and 2 days before the race, immediately before and after the race. It was also evaluated the body composition using skinfold technique 7 and 2 days before the race. The serum electrolytes analyses (Na and K) was done before and after the event. The positive weight variation at the days before the race was statistically significant at the 48 hours before the race start (t = -8,00) with an average of weight increase of 1,180 kg. The average weight loss by the sample group was of 3,023 kg, which represents an average of 4,23%. The Na concentration increased an average of 2,416 mEq (1,73%). The average values of K of 4,7 mEq/l before the race, and 4,49 mEq/l after the race, were not statistically significant. The results show that when the correction factor was applied, the percentage of subjects that were dehydrated, dropped considerable from 88,4 % to 46,15%. But none of these with a serious dehydration. This, against 7 or 26,26 % qualified as that, without the correction factor. There was a weak correlation between the final Na concentration and the weight loss (r = 0,263) and p= 0,195. It is concluded that there was a positive variation at the weight before the race. This evidence the glycogen and water stored at the muscle. Therefore, this extra weight does not contribute to the dehydration during the race. / O triathlon Ironman consiste em percorrer 3,8 km de natação, 180 km de ciclismo, seguidos de 42,2 km de corrida, com duração média de doze horas. A exposição prolongada aos fatores ambientais, dos quais o calor e a umidade trazem mais dificuldade para a manutenção do equilíbrio térmico, leva a uma substancial perda hídrica pelo suor, com taxas variando de 1 a 2 L/h. Portanto, é importante estimar estas perdas para prover estratégias corretas para organizadores e atletas quanto ao consumo de líquidos e eletrólitos durante a prova. A pesagem antes e após a prova tem sido o método mais aplicável para avaliar estas perdas hídricas. É importante observar, porém, que nem toda perda de peso no triathlon de longa duração reflete a verdade sobre e perda de líquidos. Alguns autores sugerem que a perda de peso absoluta durante uma prova de endurance superestima a perda líquida. De fato, 1 a 2 kg parecem ser perdidos de outras fontes que não fluidos, incluindo metabolismo da gordura e reservas de carboidrato e liberação de água intracelular associada ao glicogênio armazenado. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as alterações hídricas e eletrolíticas encontradas em atletas no Ironman Brasil em Florianópolis no ano de 2006 e a possível correção destes valores. Com este intuito 26 atletas foram pesados 15,7 e 2 dias antes da prova, imediatamente antes e após a realização da mesma. Também foi feita avaliação da composição corporal através de dobras cutâneas 7 e 2 dias antes da prova. A análise de eletrólitos (Na e K) sangüíneos foi feita antes e após o evento. A variação positiva de peso ocorrida nos dias que antecederam a prova foi significativa nas 48 horas que antecederam a largada (t = -8,00) com um ganho médio de peso de 1,180 kg. O peso médio perdido pelo grupo foi de 3,023 kg que representa uma média de 4,23%. A concentração de Na aumentou na média 2,416 mEq (1,73%). Os valores médios de K de 4,7 mEq/l antes da prova e 4,49 mEq/l após a prova não obtiveram variação significativa. Os resultados mostraram que ao se aplicar o fator de correção o percentual de sujeitos que estariam desidratados baixou consideravelmente de 88,4 % para 46,15% sendo que destes nenhum com desidratação séria contra 7 ou 26,26 % assim classificados sem a correção. Houve correlação fraca entre o a concentração de Na final de a variação de peso (r = 0,263) e p= 0,195. Concluiu-se que houve uma variação positiva no peso pré-prova. Isto evidenciou o acúmulo de glicogênio e água estocados no músculo. Desta maneira, esse peso extra não contribui para a avaliação da desidratação durante a prova.

SyfteSyftet med denna studie var att undersöka sambandet mellan delta efficiency (DE) i cykling (DEcykel) och löpning (DElöp) för elitaktiva triathleter. Vidare syftade studien till att undersöka om DEcykel och DElöp skiljer sig samt om det är skillnad i DE mellan kvinnliga och manliga triathleter vid respektive aktivitet.MetodFem kvinnliga (22 ± 6 år) och fem manliga (24 ± 5 år) elitaktiva triathleter utförde två submaximala test, ett cykeltest och ett löptest på rullband med konstant lutning på 2,5˚. Hastigheten ökad stegvis med 2,4 km·tim-1 under cykeltestet och 0,6 km·tim-1 under löptestet för respektive intervall á fem minuter för att fastställa DE. DE är förhållandet mellan förändringen i utfört arbete och förändringen i energiförbrukning, presenterat i procent. Triathleterna använde sin personliga cykel- och löputrustning.ResultatDet fanns inget statistiskt samband mellan DEcykel och DElöp för elitaktiva triathleter (p > 0,05). En statistisk signifikant skillnad påvisades mellan DEcykel och DElöp (p < 0,001). Ingen skillnad i varken DEcykel eller DElöp upptäcktes mellan kvinnor och män (båda p > 0,05).SlutsatserTriathleters DEcykel är signifikant högre än DElöp. Det upptäcktes inget samband mellan DEcykel och DElöp bland triathleterna på individnivå vilket innebär att en triathlet med högt värde för DEcykel inte per automatik även har högt värde för DElöp. Ingen könsrelaterad skillnad upptäcktes bland triathleterna. / PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between delta efficiency (DE) in cycling (DEcycle) and running (DErun) among elite triathletes. Furthermore, another aim of the study was to investigate if DE differ between the activities and/or gender.MethodsFive elite female (22 ± 6 years) and five elite male (24 ± 5 year) triathletes preformed two submaximal tests, a cycling test and a running test on a motorized treadmill in a constant inclination of 2,5˚. The treadmill speed between stages was increased by 2.4 km·h-1 for the cycling test and 0.6 km·h-1 for the running test. Each stage was five minutes followed by a one minute pause. DE is the relation between the change in work rate (WR) and the change in metabolic rate (MR), presented in percentages. The triathletes own bikes and running equipment were used during the tests.ResultsThe results did not show a relationship between DEcycle and DErun between elite triathletes (p > 0,05). A statistical significant difference was found between DEcycle and DErun (p < 0,001). No gender difference was found for either DEcycle or DErun (both p > 0,05).ConclusionsThe DEcycle were significantly higher among the triathletes compared to DErun. No relationship between DEcycle and DErun were found, which means that triathletes with a grate DEcycle does not automatically have a grate DErun. No gender related difference was discovered between the triathletes.

The purpose of this study was to determine if mild heat stress induced by wearing a wet suit while swimming in relatively warm water (25.4 ± 0.1°C) increases the risk of heat injury during the subsequent cycling and running stages. Specificlly, during an Olympic distance triathlon in a hot and humid environment (32°C & 65% RH). Five male triathletes randomly completed two simulated triathlons (Swim=30 min; Bike=40 km; Run=10 km) in the laboratory using a swimming flume, cycle ergometer, and running treadmill. In both trials, all conditions were identical, except for the swimming portion in which a full length, sleeveless neoprene wet suit was worn during one trial (WS) and a competitive brief swimming suit during the other (SS). The swim portion consisted of a 30 min standardized swim in which oxygen consumption (V02) was replicated, regardless of WS or SS. During the cycling and running stages, however, the subjects were asked to complete the distances as fast as possible. Core Temperature (T) was not significantly different between the SS and WS trials at any time point during the triathlon. However, mean skin temperature (TSk) and mean body temperature (Tb) were higher (p<0.05) in the WS at 15 (TSk=+4.1°C, Tb=+1.5°C) and 30 min (TSk=+4°C, Tb=+1.6°C) of the swim. These TSk and Tb differences were eliminated by 15 min of the cycling stage and remained similar (p>0.05) through the end of the triathlon. Moreover, there were no differences (p>0.05) in V02, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), or thermal sensation (TS) between the WS and SS. Additionally, no significant differences were found in cycling (SS=1:14:46 ± 2:48 vs. WS=1:14:37 ± 2:54 min), running (SS=55:40 ± 1:49 vs. WS=57:20 ± 4:00 min) or total triathlon times (SS=2:40:26 ± 1:58 vs. WS=2:41:57 ± 1:37 min). Therefore, the primary finding was that wearing a wet suit during the swimming stage of an Olympic distance triathlon in 25.4°C water does not adversely affect the thermal responses or the triathlete's ability to perform on the subsequent cycling and running stages. / School of Physical Education

Title: EFFECTING EXERCISE REGIMEN OF CHILDREN AT YOUNGER SCHOOL AGE An alternative form of triathlon contest as a possibility to build a positive relationship to physical activity in children Objectives: To compare motion and diet patterns and basic parameters of body constitution in selected children divided into two groups: a random population and a population of children devoted to a specific physical activity - triathlon. The aim was to focus on contests organization and management, identify its weak points and suggest a suitable alternative with the ambition to bring children closer to any of disciplines triathlon is consisting of or to triathlon itself in a longtime fashion. Methods: Body height and weight measurements, BMI calculations. Questionnaire survey. Arrangement of a triathlon contest in its new alternative way. Evaluation. Results: A group of children actively doing triathlon shows more balanced distribution of body weight in comparison with data obtained when measuring random children during PE lessons at schools where cases of obesity and underweight were found. Triathlon contest model based on adult category is not convenient for children at younger school age considering their development characteristics. Arrangement of a non-competitive triathlon contest confirmed its positive...

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da competição de triathlon na função e morte de neutrófilos de atletas de elite e investigar o possível envolvimento dos ácidos graxos livres (AGs) neste processo. Os neutrófilos foram obtidos do sangue coletado de 11 sedentários e de 12 triatletas em repouso e após competição de triathlon (Half Ironman, 2 Km de natação, 80 Km de ciclismo e 20 Km de corrida). A competição de triathlon aumentou a capacidade dos neutrófilos de migrar e de realizar burst oxidativo, porém inibiu a fagociose realizada por estas células. Além disso, induziu aumento da fragmentação de DNA e externalização de fosfatidilserina. A competição de triathlon aumentou a concentração de AGs no plasma dos triatletas e esta foi correlacionada positivamente com a proporção de neutrófilos com DNA fragmentado e fosfatidilserina externalizada. A elevação da concentração plasmática dos ácidos oléico, linoléico e esteárico induzida pela competição parece estar envolvida nas alterações funcionais e na apoptose verificadas após a competição de triathlon. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of triathlon competition on function and death of neutrophils from elite athletes and to investigate the involvement of fatty acids in this process. Neutrophils were obtained from blood collected from eleven sedentary volunteers and twelve triathletes under rest and after a Half Ironman triathlon competition (2 Km swimming, 80 Km cycling and 20 Km running). The triathlon competition increased the migration and reactive oxygen species production in neutrophils, however it reduced the phagocytosis activity. Moreover, it induced neutrophils death possibly by apoptosis as indicated by DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine externalization. The increase in plasma levels of oleic, linoleic and stearic acids induced by the competition may be involved in modulation on neutrophil function and death.

This study examines women's use of leisure as politics, especially as related to leisure as resistance, leisure and social worlds, and women's body image. Interviews were conducted with fifteen participants and coaches in two all-women's triathlon training groups in Austin, Texas. Both training groups prepared women for participation in the Austin Danskin Triathlon. Qualitative methods, grounded theory and constant comparison guided the interviewing and data analysis process. It was determined that Danskin trainees formed a social world which allowed them to redefine their bodies and redefine the tenets of organized sport. This finding centered around three major areas: initial involvement, community building and resistance. Most participants became involved initially for social reasons even though they often were out of shape or had not previously participated in athletics. Several participants experienced barriers to involvement commonly discussed in gender leisure studies including weight issues, "ethic of care" concerns and fear of not deserving leisure time. During participation in their training programs, the majority of trainees formed a community with their fellow participants which provided them with a safe place and a support structure. As a result, many Austin Danskin triathlon trainees were able to communally resist cultural and societal norms surrounding women's bodies and competitive athletics. As a group, trainees redefined the way women should look and placed function above form. Furthermore, they reclaimed sport from the male norm and instead demanded that it go beyond bigger, better, faster or stronger and instead focus on community, support and teamwork. The results of this study urge leisure providers to create programs that appeal to the whole person - not just the physical. As a result of the data, several hypotheses may be suggested for future study: Do women's only recreation programs provide a crucial link between social world formation and leisure as resistance? What other programs may produce similar results and why?

Eleven male triathletes were studied to determine the relationships between selected metabolic measurements and triathlon performance. Measurements were made for oxygen consumption (V02), pulmonary ventilation (Ve) and heart rate (HR) during submaximal and maximal 400-yd freestyle swimming (FS), cycle ergometry (CE) and treadmill running (TR). Submaximal workloads were 1 m/sec for swimming, 200 watts for cycling and 7.5 mph for running. The mean (1/min) was significantly (P<0.05) lower during 1/min) than CE (4.68 1/sin) or TR (4.81 1/min). cycling and running performance times during the (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile cycle, 13.1 mile run) were to have a low relationship to V0z max (ml/kg/min) -0.32 and -0.55, respectively. The V0z max when expressed as 1/min was found to significantly (P<0.05) related to cycling time (r=-0.70). However, at a selected workload the %VO2 max was found to be highly related to swimming (0.91), cycling (0.78) and running (0.86) performance times. Maximal HR (bts/min) was also observed to be significantly (P<0.05) lower during FS (163) than CE (176) or TR (183). Running and cycling times in the triathlon were highly correlated (P<0.05) to overall triathlon performance times, 0.97 and 0.81, respectively, whereas swimming was found to be less a contributor to the athlete's final time, r=0.30. This study suggests that economy of effort is of greater importance to a triathlete's performance than their maximal oxygen uptake.