Trends in Triathlon Performance: Effects of Sex and Age

Abstract

The influences of sex and age upon endurance performance have previously been documented for both running and swimming. A number of recent studies have investigated how sex and age influence triathlon performance, a sport that combines three disciplines (swimming, cycling and running), with competitions commonly lasting between two (Short distance : 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle and 10 km run) and eight hours (Ironman distance: 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle and 42 km run) for elite triathletes. Age and sex influences upon performance have also been investigated for ultra-triathlons with distances corresponding to several Ironman distances and lasting several days, and for off-road triathlons combining swimming, mountain biking and trail running. Triathlon represents an intriguing alternative model for analyzing the effects of age and sex upon endurance and ultra-endurance (> 6 hours) performance because sex differences and age-related declines in performance can be analyzed in the same persons across the three separate disciplines. The relative participation of both females and masters athletes (age > 40 years old) in triathlon has increased consistently over the past 25 years. Sex differences in triathlon performance are also known to differ between the modes of locomotion adopted (swimming, cycling or running) for both elite and non-elite triathletes.Generally, time differences between sexes in swimming have been shown to be smaller on average than during cycling and running. Both physiological and morphological factors contribute to explaining these findings. Performance density (i.e. the time difference between the winner and 10 th placed competitor) has progressively improved (time differences have decreased) for international races over the past two decades for both males and females, with performance density now very similar for both sexes. For age-group triathletes, sex differences in total triathlon performance time increases with age. The possible difference in age-related changes in the physiological determinants of endurance and ultra-endurance performances between males and females needs further investigation however. Non-

Factors influencing pacing in triathlon

“…The influence of internal and external factors on pacing may differ between males and females, due to internal (physiological and morphological107) and external (participation rates108) differences between sexes (for review see Lepers et al107). The physiological differences have been attributed to a 12%–15% lower maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ),109 5%–10% lower hemoglobin concentration, and ∼8% higher body fat percentage in elite females, as compared with elite males 107,110,111.…”

“…The physiological differences have been attributed to a 12%–15% lower maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ),109 5%–10% lower hemoglobin concentration, and ∼8% higher body fat percentage in elite females, as compared with elite males 107,110,111. Le Meur et al32 observed that, during a World Cup Olympic-distance triathlon, females spent a greater percentage of total time (45%) above maximal aerobic power when cycling up hills, as compared with males (32%).…”

Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Review of Mechanisms, Assessment and Management

“…Although this condition occurs in sedentary individuals, athletes (particularly runners) can also be affected [9]. It is anticipated that the prevalence of gluteal tendinopathy in athletes will increase in parallel with the increasing age of society and increasing participation of females in long-distance running and triathlons [10][11][12]. In the USA, the average age of participants in road races is 40 years [10] and more than 43 % of triathletes are over 40 years of age, with females constituting 38 % of all triathletes [12].…”

Comparison of age of peak swimming speed in elite backstroke swimmers at national and international level

“…For endurance sports such as running, swimming, triathlon or rowing, peak performance was described at the age of ~35 years with a linear decline in performance until the age of ~70 years 2,4,5 . After the age of ~70 years, the performance declined exponentially [1][2][3]5 .…”

“…For endurance sports such as running, swimming, triathlon or rowing, peak performance was described at the age of ~35 years with a linear decline in performance until the age of ~70 years 2,4,5 . After the age of ~70 years, the performance declined exponentially [1][2][3]5 . For swimmers, the age-related performance decline in freestyle swimming showed differences regarding the distance and the sex, with a greater decline in long-distance performances such as 1,500-m freestyle and for women compared to men 2,3 .…”