The Impact of Triathlon Training and Racing on Athletes’ General Health

Abstract

Although the sport of triathlon provides an opportunity to research the effect of multi-disciplinary exercise on health across the lifespan, much remains to be done. The literature has failed to consistently or adequately report subject age group, sex, ability level, and/or event-distance specialization. The demands of training and racing are relatively unquantified. Multiple definitions and reporting methods for injury and illness have been implemented. In general, risk factors for maladaptation have not been well-described. The data thus far collected indicate that the sport of triathlon is relatively safe for the well-prepared, well-supplied athlete. Most injuries 'causing cessation or reduction of training or seeking of medical aid' are not serious. However, as the extent to which they recur may be high and is undocumented, injury outcome is unclear. The sudden death rate for competition is 1.5 (0.9-2.5) [mostly swim-related] occurrences for every 100,000 participations. The sudden death rate is unknown for training, although stroke risk may be increased, in the long-term, in genetically susceptible athletes. During heavy training and up to 5 days post-competition, host protection against pathogens may also be compromised. The incidence of illness seems low, but its outcome is unclear. More prospective investigation of the immunological, oxidative stress-related and cardiovascular effects of triathlon training and competition is warranted. Training diaries may prove to be a promising method of monitoring negative adaptation and its potential risk factors. More longitudinal, medical-tent-based studies of the aetiology and treatment demands of race-related injury and illness are needed.

Enhanced Strength and Sprint Levels, and Changes in Blood Parameters during a Complete Athletics Season in 800 m High-Level Athletes

“…On the other hand, white cells are an important part of the immune system. The immune system may be affected by the level of activity in which an athlete is engaged (Vleck et al, 2014 ). Through several mechanisms, the immune system may be depressed during intense endurance activity, resulting in an increased risk of illness or infection (Knez et al, 2006 ).…”

Oxidative Stress in Female Athletes Using Combined Oral Contraceptives

“…In athletes, oxidative stress is a recognized causative agent of muscle redox imbalance that can promote muscle fatigue and injury, thus impairing exercise performance [ 1 , 3 , 7 , 9 ]. However, so far, a limited number of studies have focused on oxidative stress in female athletes [ 11 – 14 ]. A report [ 15 ] demonstrated that female athletes were more susceptible to oxidative stress than male athletes; however, this study did not evaluate contraception, a major issue to be addressed in female athletes [ 16 ].…”

Acute Effects of Triathlon Race on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

“…Although up to now the demands of training and competition in an ultra-endurance race are not well described, it has been suggested that triathletes do "extreme amounts of exercises" [3]. Therefore, triathlon Ironman® distance competition can be considered suitable to be studied as a very interesting model of an extreme physiological situation able to promote the deleterious actions of ROS.…”

“…Even if many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances [2]. Triathlon thereby provides a great opportunity to investigate the effects of multidisciplinary exercises on health, and to this aim, much remains to be done [3]. Long competitions require great power endurance possibly leading to heat stress and dehydration [4,5], muscle injury [6], oxidative stress [7,8], inflammation [9,10], immunologic alterations [11,12], and cardiac remodeling [13].…”