Maximal oxygen uptake and power of lower limbs during a competitive season in triathletes.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Galy
O
O
Laboratoire ACTES, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives, Antilles-Guyane, Campus de Fouillole, 97159 Pointe à Pitre Cedex, France. galy.o@wanadoo.fr
Manetta
J
J
Coste
O
O
Maimoun
L
L
Chamari
K
K
Hue
O
O
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*