title: Intensity profile during an ultra-endurance triathlon in relation to testing and performance.
abstract: We examined the heart rate (HR)-based intensity profile during an ultra-endurance triathlon (UET) estimated from the individual HR-oxygen uptake (˙VO2) relationship during specific graded tests, relating it to race performance. 9 male ultra-endurance triathletes completed the study. Before racing, subjects performed graded exercise tests involving cycle (C) ergometry, treadmill running (R) and free swimming (S) for peak ˙VO2 and HR at ventilatory thresholds (VT). Exercise-specific HR-˙VO2 regression equations were developed. Mean race HR was higher during S (149.2 (10.1) bpm) than during C (137.1 (5.7) bpm) and R (136.2 (10.5) bpm). During C and R, HR was below both VT (11% and 27-28%). HR differences between S and C correlated with C, R and final times. The greatest differences between S and C were related to the worst times in the next stages. These ultra-endurance triathletes performed S at a higher relative intensity, which was inversely correlated with performance in the following stages. The best predictors of final racing time (81%) were weight-adjusted ˙VO2max and HR difference between C and S. A more adequate characterization of the time pattern during the whole race, especially during S, adds new information concerning the intensity profile and cardiovascular demands of an UET race.
authors.affiliation: Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona, INEFC-Barcelona Sports Sciences Research Group Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrero
authors.affiliation: Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona, INEFC-Barcelona Sports Sciences Research Group Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaverri
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Enginyeria Informàtica i Matemàtiques, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erola
authors.affiliation: Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona, INEFC-Barcelona Sports Sciences Research Group Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.affiliation: Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona, INEFC-Barcelona Sports Sciences Research Group Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*