title: Comparison of the influence of age on cycling efficiency and the energy cost of running in well-trained triathletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined locomotive efficiency in young and masters triathletes during both a run and cycle test.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia. j.peiffer@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jeremiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peiffer
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Chris R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Abbiss
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Motricity, Education Sport and Health, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sultana
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Motricity, Education Sport and Health, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Motricity, Education Sport and Health, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.|School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeanick
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brisswalter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D056352:Athletes; D001642:Bicycling; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Economy; Energy; Performance; Triathlon