The aim of this study was two-fold: i) to analyse age-related declines in swimming, cycling, and running performances for Olympic and Ironman triathlons, and ii) to compare age-related changes in these three disciplines between the Olympic and Ironman triathlons. Swimming, cycling, running and total time performances of the top 10 males between 20 and 70 years of age (in 5 years intervals) were analysed for two consecutive world championships (2006 and 2007) for Olympic and Ironman distances. There was a lesser age-related decline in cycling performance (p<0.01) compared with running and swimming after 55 years of age for Olympic distance and after 50 years of age for Ironman distance. With advancing age, the performance decline was less pronounced (p<0.01) for Olympic than for Ironman triathlon in cycling (>55 years) and running (>50 years), respectively. In contrast, an age-related decline in swimming performance seemed independent of triathlon distance. The age-related decline in triathlon performance is specific to the discipline, with cycling showing less declines in performance with age than swimming and running. The magnitude of the declines in cycling and running performance at Ironman distance is greater than at Olympic distance, suggesting that task duration exerts an important influence on the magnitude of the age-associated changes in triathlon performance.

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The aim of the present study was to compare the maximal isometric torque and cardio-respiratory parameters in well-trained young and master triathletes prior to and following an Olympic distance triathlon. One day before and 24 h following the event, participants performed three maximum voluntary isometric knee extensions and flexions and an incremental running test on a treadmill to determine the maximal isometric torque, maximal oxygen uptake VO(2max), speed at VO(2max) (vVO(2)max), speed at ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) and submaximal running economy. Prior to the event VO(2max), vVO(2)max, speed at ventilatory thresholds and running economy were significantly lower in master athletes, but maximal voluntary torque was similar between the groups. 24 h following the race, a similar significant decrease in VO(2max) (-3.1% in masters, and -6.2% in young, p < 0.05), and vVO(2)max (-9.5% in masters, and -5.6% in young, p < 0.05) was observed in both the groups. The speed at VT2 significantly decreased only in master athletes (-8.3%, p < 0.05), while no change was recorded in maximal voluntary torque or submaximal running economy following the event. The results indicate that for well-trained subjects, the overall relative exercise intensity during an Olympic distance triathlon and the fatigue 24 h following the event seem to be independent of age.

Within trained triathletes, ageing can influence efficiency in both the run and cycle discipline. While disregarded in the past, efficiency should be considered in research examining performance in ageing athletes.

Objectifs.-Les performances lors d'épreuves de championnat du monde de triathlon olympique en groupes d'âge ont été analysées pour évaluer la diminution des performances en fonction de l'âge et du sexe Méthodes.-Les dix meilleures performances par tranche d'âge de cinq ans lors des deux dernières épreuves de championnat du monde en groupe d'âge ont été analysées selon le modèle de type exponentiel proposé par Baker et al. (2003). Les constantes du modèle exponentiel sont comparées entre la population masculine et féminine. Résultats et discussion.-Le déclin de la performance sur une épreuve de triathlon suit le modèle exponentiel. L'analyse statistique montre une différence statistiquement significative entre la période de déclin de la performance chez les hommes et chez les femmes. Chez les hommes, le déclin devient significatif à partir de 45 ans alors que chez la femme, ce déclin intervient à parir de 40 ans. Dans les deux populations, un déclin plus prononcé est observé après 50 ans. Conclusion.-Notre étude réalisée lors d'une activité multimodale confirme les résultats antérieurs réalisés sur des activités unimodales en indiquant une relation curvilinéaire entre la performance et l'âge. Néanmoins, le déclin plus tardif en triathlon suggère un effet du mode de locomotion. Par ailleurs, la différence entre les sexes est comparable à celle relevée en course à pied. Des études ultérieures explicatives sont nécessaires pour analyser ces observations.