1. Maximal oxygen uptake and power of lower limbs during a competitive season in triathletes.
- Author
-
Galy O, Manetta J, Coste O, Maimoun L, Chamari K, and Hue O
- Subjects
- Adult, Competitive Behavior physiology, Exercise physiology, Female, Heart Rate physiology, Humans, Male, Physical Education and Training methods, Physical Endurance physiology, Bicycling physiology, Leg physiology, Muscle, Skeletal physiology, Oxygen Consumption physiology, Running physiology, Swimming physiology
- Abstract
Background: In order to study the effect of a competitive triathlon season on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), aerobic power (AeP) and anaerobic performance (AnP) of the lower limbs, eight triathletes performed exercise tests after: (1) a pre-competition period (Pre-COMP) (2) a competitive period (COMP), and (3) a low (volume and intensity) training period (Post-COMP). The tests were a vertical jump-and-reach test and an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Ventilatory data were collected every minute during the incremental test with an automated breath-by-breath system and the heart-rate was monitored using a telemetric system., Results: No changes in VO2max were observed, whereas AeP decreased after Post-COMP compared to Pre-COMP and COMP and AnP decreased during COMP compared to Pre-COMP and Post-COMP. In addition, second ventilatory threshold (VT2) and power output at first ventilatory threshold (VT1) and VT2 decreased after Post-COMP., Conclusion: This study showed that six weeks of low volume and intensity of training is too long a period to preserve adaptations to training, although a stable maximal oxygen uptake throughout the triathlon season was observed. Moreover, the AnP decrease during COMP was probably in relation with the repetitive nature of the training mode and/or triathlon competitions.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF