Medical and physiological considerations in triathlons

Hiller, W. D. B.; O’Toole, Mary L.; Fortess, Eric E.; Laird, Robert; Imbert, P; Sisk, T. David

doi:10.1177/036354658701500212

Cited by 109 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Estudos prévios alertam que a equipe médica deve estar preparada para atender no mínimo de 2 a 10% dos atletas participantes de uma prova de triatlon com menos de quatro horas de duração, 10 a 20% em provas de quatro a oito horas e, no mínimo, 20% dos atletas participantes de provas de 9 a 17 horas (6) , que é o caso do triatlon Ironman.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

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Alterações hidroeletrolíticas agudas ocorridas no Triatlon Ironman Brasil

Mara

Lemos

Brochi

et al. 2007

Rev Bras Med Esporte

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ARTIGO ORIGINALPalavras-chave: Hiponatremia. Desidratação. Superhidratação. Potássio. Keywords:Hyponatremia. Dehydration. Superhydration. Potassium. RESUMOO Triatlon Ironman caracteriza-se por ser uma atividade de resistência constituída por 3,8km de natação, 180km de ciclismo e 42,2km de corrida, no qual o atleta exercita-se, em média, por cerca de 13 horas. Neste contexto, o atleta exposto a tal carga de esforço e adversidades ambientais, experimenta alterações orgâ-nicas agudas em seus sistemas biológicos, incluindo os distúr-bios hidroeletrolíticos. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as alterações hídricas e eletrolíticas encontradas em atletas de triatlon Ironman. De 2002 a 2005 foram avaliados 109 atletas voluntários antes e imediatamente após as provas realizadas em Florianópo-lis-SC Brasil, com análise sanguínea dos eletrólitos sódio, e potás-sio, e medida de massa corporal. Os dados do sódio sérico de 89 atletas foram correlacionados com o grau de desidratação e modificações percentuais de peso corporal. Dados de 77 atletas, quanto ao potássio sérico, foram avaliados isoladamente de forma descritiva. Seis atletas (6,7%) apresentaram-se euhidratados ou superhidratados ao final da prova, 50 atletas desidrataram de 0 a 3% (56,2%), 29 de 3 a 6% (32,6%) e 4 atletas (4,5%) desidrataram mais que 6%. Houve uma tendência a ocorrer hiponatremia entre aqueles que desidrataram menos ou ganharam peso. O potássio teve um comportamento dentro dos limites da normalidade em toda amostra. Conclui-se que os distúrbios hidroeletrolíticos (hiponatremia e desidratação) são incidentes nesta modalidade esportiva, sendo a superhidratação a etiologia provável da hiponatremia denotada pelo ganho ou perdas discretas de peso. ABSTRACT Acute hydroelectrolytic changes occurred in the Brazilian Ironman TriathlonThe Ironman Triathlon is characterized for being an endurance activity consisting of 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling and 42.2 km of running, in which the athlete exercises an average of about 13 hours. In this context, the athlete exposed to such load of effort and environmental adversities, experiences acute organic alterations in his biological systems, including hydroelectrolytic disturbs. The objective of this study is to describe the hydric and electrolytic alterations found in Ironman triathlon athletes. From years 2002 to 2005, 109 volunteer athletes have been evaluated before and immediately after the events which took place in Florianópolis-SC Brazil, with blood analysis of sodium and potassium electrolytes, and body mass measurement. Sodium serum data from 89 athletes have been correlated with the degree of dehydration and percentage alterations of body weight. Data of 77 athletes concerning the serum potassium were separately evaluated in a descriptive way. Six athletes (6.7%) were euhydrated or superhydrated at the end of the test; 50 athletes were dehydrated from 0 to 3% (56.2%); 29 from 3 to 6 % (32.6%) and 4 athletes (4.5%) were dehydrated more than 6%. There was a tendency to hyponatremia among those who ...

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Section: Discussionunclassified

“…O percentual de atendimento médico no Ironman Brasil entre os anos de 2002 e 2005 foi entre 20 a 25%, o que foi concordante com os achados de outros autores (5)(6) . Isto reflete a necessidade da equipe médica estar preparada logisticamente para assistir da melhor forma possível o atleta.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Alterações hidroeletrolíticas agudas ocorridas no Triatlon Ironman Brasil

Mara

Lemos

Brochi

et al. 2007

Rev Bras Med Esporte

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“…Body composition changes during an Ironman are well investigated. These changes comprise fluid loss (Hiller et al 1987), glycogen depletion (Gillum et al 2006, Knechtle et al 2010 and decreases in fat mass (Mueller et al 2013). Contrary to these investigations, comprehensive data on the changes in neuromuscular performance are scarse.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ironman triathlon reduces neuromuscular performance due to impaired force transmission and reduced leg stiffness

Mueller

Knechtle

et al. 2014

Eur J Appl Physiol

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Purpose: An Ironman triathlon is associated with changes in body composition as well as decreases in neuromuscular function. While the changes in body composition occurring during an Ironman are well investigated, comprehensive data on the changes in neuromuscular performance are scarse. In the present study, we investigated the mechanical alterations underlying reported reductions in maximal muscular force and power after an Ironman race in men. Methods: Before and directly after an Ironman, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and multiple one-legged hopping (m1LH) maneuvers were performed to assess fatigue-related alterations in mechanical variables in thirteen male nonprofessional triathletes. Results: During CMJ, peak power (P = 0.003), peak velocity (P < 0.001), jump height (P = 0.007), and rate of force development (P = 0.042) decreased during the Ironman. Total (P < 0.001) and positive (P = 0.003) impulses during a CMJ were reduced after the triathlon, while both negative impulses did not differ pre to post Ironman. Absolute peak force remained constant during CMJ (P = 0.200) and SJ (P = 0.764). Maximal voluntary ground reaction force (F m1LH , P < 0.001) and peak stiffness (P = 0.003) during m1LH were decreased after the Ironman. Conclusions: The reduced CMJ height was a result of the lower positive impulse. Therefore, the neuromuscular deficit after the Ironman race was due to impairments in force transmission, resulting in a lower average positive force during CMJ, because of a slower rate of force development. The decreased F m1LH could be partly explained by reduced leg stiffness.

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“…[ case report ] E xercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) is a common problem amongst triathletes 10,33 and marathon runners. 18 Triathletes experience a lifetime prevalence of muscle cramping of 67%, 12 and marathon runners one of 30% to 50%.…”

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confidence: 99%

Strengthening and Neuromuscular Reeducation of the Gluteus Maximus in a Triathlete with Exercise-Associated Cramping of the Hamstrings

Wagner¹,

Behnia²,

Ancheta³

et al. 2010

Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy

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Study Design Case report. Objective To highlight the effects of an intervention program consisting of strengthening and neuromuscular reeducation of the gluteus maximus in an elite triathlete with exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC). Background Researchers have described 2 theories concerning the etiology of EAMC: (1) muscle fatigue and (2) electrolyte deficit. As such, interventions for EAMC typically consist of stretching/strengthening of the involved muscle and/or supplements to restore electrolyte imbalances. Case Description The patient was a 42-year-old male triathlete with a primary complaint of recurrent cramping of his right hamstring muscle, which prevented him from completing races at his desired pace. Strength testing revealed gluteus maximus muscle weakness bilaterally. Electromyographic (EMG) analysis (surface electrodes, 1560 Hz) revealed that the right hamstrings were being activated excessively during terminal swing and the first half of the stance phase (48.1% maximum voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]). Outcomes Following the intervention, the patient was able to complete 3 triathlons without hamstring cramping. Strength testing revealed that the right hip extension strength improved from 35.6 to 54.7 kg, and activation of the hamstrings during terminal swing and the first half of the stance phase decreased to 36.4% of MVIC. Discussion A program of gluteus maximus strengthening and neuromuscular training eliminated EAMC of the hamstrings in this patient. Given that the hamstrings and gluteus maximus work as agonists to decelerate the thigh during terminal swing phase and control hip flexion during loading response of running, we postulate that strengthening of the gluteus maximus decreased the relative effort required by the hamstrings, thus reducing EAMC. The results of the EMG evaluation that was performed as part of this case report provides support for this hypothesis. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(2):112–119. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3110

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Medical and physiological considerations in triathlons

Cited by 109 publications

References 8 publications

Alterações hidroeletrolíticas agudas ocorridas no Triatlon Ironman Brasil

Alterações hidroeletrolíticas agudas ocorridas no Triatlon Ironman Brasil

An Ironman triathlon reduces neuromuscular performance due to impaired force transmission and reduced leg stiffness

Strengthening and Neuromuscular Reeducation of the Gluteus Maximus in a Triathlete with Exercise-Associated Cramping of the Hamstrings

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