Sex and Age-Related Changes in Performance in the Duathlon World Championships

Abstract

Objective Our study analyses differences in performance between sexes, and changes in performance between age groups at Olympic distance during the ITU Duathlon World Championships, held between 2005 and 2016. During this period, a total of 9,772 duathletes were analysed (6,739 men and 3,033 women). Methods Two-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine sex- and age-related differences in performance (time, percentage of time and performance ratio) in the first running and cycling legs, the second running leg, and total race for the top 10 male and female athletes in each age group at the Duathlon World Championships. Results The age group with the highest participation, in both male and female categories, was 40-44 years, and it was found that the mean age of female finisher participants across all age groups was 23.5±12. With regards to performance, the best results for total race time and the cycling segment were achieved in the 30-34-year age group, for both male and female athletes. With regards to performance in the first and third segments (running legs), the best times were achieved in the 25-29 and 30-34 age groups, for men and women respectively. Conclusion According to the results of our study, the best results in the professional career of a duathlete are achieved at between 30 and 35 years, therefore the athlete should incorporate this factor into their training plan. Level of evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.