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The aim of the present study was to compare the maximal isometric torque and cardio-respiratory parameters in well-trained young and master triathletes prior to and following an Olympic distance triathlon. One day before and 24 h following the event, participants performed three maximum voluntary isometric knee extensions and flexions and an incremental running test on a treadmill to determine the maximal isometric torque, maximal oxygen uptake VO(2max), speed at VO(2max) (vVO(2)max), speed at ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) and submaximal running economy. Prior to the event VO(2max), vVO(2)max, speed at ventilatory thresholds and running economy were significantly lower in master athletes, but maximal voluntary torque was similar between the groups. 24 h following the race, a similar significant decrease in VO(2max) (-3.1% in masters, and -6.2% in young, p < 0.05), and vVO(2)max (-9.5% in masters, and -5.6% in young, p < 0.05) was observed in both the groups. The speed at VT2 significantly decreased only in master athletes (-8.3%, p < 0.05), while no change was recorded in maximal voluntary torque or submaximal running economy following the event. The results indicate that for well-trained subjects, the overall relative exercise intensity during an Olympic distance triathlon and the fatigue 24 h following the event seem to be independent of age.

This study describes the decline in performance with age during Olympic triathlon Age Groups World Championships among the different locomotion modes. Mean performance of top 10 performers were analyzed for each group of age using the exponential model proposed by Baker, Tang, and Turner (2003, Experimental Aging Research, 29, 47-65). Comparison in performance decline was done between locomotion modes. Decline in performance in triathlon as a function of age follows an exponential model. A significant interaction effect between age and locomotion mode was observed on performance values. In swimming, a significant decrease was observed close to 5% per year after 45 years. Decline in performance was less pronounced in cycling until 60 years. Analysis of the effect of age in the different locomotion modes of a triathlon could provide information for maintaining quality of life with aging.

Locomotive efficiency is cited as an important component to endurance performance; however, inconsistent observations of age-related changes in efficiency question its influence in the performance of masters athletes.This study examined locomotive efficiency in young and masters triathletes during both a run and cycle test.Twenty young (28.5 ± 2.6 years) and 20 masters (59.8 ± 1.3 years) triathletes completed an incremental cycling and running test to determine maximal aerobic consumption (VO2max) and the first ventilatory threshold (VT1). Participants then completed 10-min submaximal running and cycling tests at VT1 during which locomotive efficiency was calculated from expired ventilation. Additionally, body fat percentage was determined using skin-fold assessment.During the cycle and run, VO2max was lower in the masters (48.3 ± 5.4 and 49.6 ± 4.8 ml kg(-1) min(-1), respectively) compared with young (61.6 ± 5.7 and 62.4 ± 5.2 ml kg(-1) min(-1), respectively) cohort. Maximal running speed and the cycling power output corresponding to VO2max were also lower in the masters (15.1 ± 0.8 km h(-1) and 318.6 ± 26.0 W) compared with the young (19.5 ± 1.3 km h(-1) and 383.6 ± 35.0 W) cohort. Cycling efficiency was lower (-11.2%) in the masters compared with young cohort. Similar results were observed for the energy cost of running (+10.8%); however, when scaled to lean body mass, changes were more pronounced during the run (+22.1%).Within trained triathletes, ageing can influence efficiency in both the run and cycle discipline. While disregarded in the past, efficiency should be considered in research examining performance in ageing athletes.

International audience; The aim of this study was twofold: i) to analyze age-related declines in swimming, cycling, and running performances for Olympic and Ironman triathlons, and ii) to compare age-related changes in these three disciplines between the Olympic and Ironman triathlons. Swimming, cycling, running and total time performances of the top 10 males between 20 and 70 years of age (in 5 years intervals) were analyzed for two consecutive world championships (2006 and 2007) for Olympic and Ironman distances. There was a lesser age-related decline in cycling performance (P55 years) and running (>50 years), respectively. In contrast, an age-related decline in swimming performance seemed independent of triathlon distance. The age-related decline in triathlon performance is specific to the discipline, with cycling showing less declines in performance with age than swimming and running. The magnitude of the declines in cycling and running performance at Ironman distance is greater than at Olympic distance, suggesting that task duration exerts an important influence on the magnitude of the age-associated changes in triathlon performance.

Aim. – Performances in Olympic triathlon Age Groups World Championships were analysed to evaluate the decline in maximal performance with increasing age in male and female triathletes.Method. – Mean performance of top ten performers were analyzed for each group of age during the last Age Groups World Championships events using the exponential model proposed by Baker et al. (2003). Constants of the exponential model were compared between men and women.Results and discussion. – The decline in Triathlon performance follows the exponential model. The statistical analysis shows a significant gender effect on the period of decrease in performance. In male subjects performance loss does not appears before 45 years, whereas in female it appears earlier (40 years). In both populations, significant decrease is observed after 50 years.Conclusion. – Our study during a multimodal mode of locomotion activity is in agreement with previous results reported during an unimodal activity. However, triathlon performance decline appears later suggesting an effect of locomotion mode. In this study, gender effect is similar with those reported previously. Further explicative studies are necessary to analyse these observations., Objectifs. – Les performances lors d’épreuves de championnat du monde de triathlon olympique en groupes d’âge ont été analysées pour évaluer la diminution des performances en fonction de l’âge et du sexeMéthodes. – Les dix meilleures performances par tranche d’âge de cinq ans lors des deux dernières épreuves de championnat du monde en groupe d’âge ont été analysées selon le modèle de type exponentiel proposé par Baker et al. (2003). Les constantes du modèle exponentiel sont comparées entre la population masculine et féminine.Résultats et discussion. – Le déclin de la performance sur une épreuve de triathlon suit le modèle exponentiel. L’analyse statistique montre une différence statistiquement significative entre la période de déclin de la performance chez les hommes et chez les femmes. Chez les hommes, le déclin devient significatif à partir de 45 ans alors que chez la femme, ce déclin intervient à parir de 40 ans. Dans les deux populations, un déclin plus prononcé est observé après 50 ans.Conclusion. –Notre étude réalisée lors d’une activité multimodale confirme les résultats antérieurs réalisés sur des activités unimodales en indiquant une relation curvilinéaire entre la performance et l’âge. Néanmoins, le déclin plus tardif en triathlon suggère un effet du mode de locomotion. Par ailleurs, la différence entre les sexes est comparable à celle relevée en course à pied. Des études ultérieures explicatives sont nécessaires pour analyser ces observations.