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Maximal oxygen uptake and power of lower limbs during a competitive season in triathletes
Author(s) -
Galy O.,
Manetta J.,
Coste O.,
Maimoun L.,
Chamari K.,
Hue O.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0838.2003.10170.x
Subject(s) - anaerobic exercise , vo2 max , incremental exercise , ventilatory threshold , zoology , medicine , cardiology , physical therapy , heart rate , blood pressure , biology
Background: In order to study the effect of a competitive triathlon season on maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ), 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 VO 2max 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 (VT 2 ) and power output at first ventilatory threshold (VT 1 ) and VT 2 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 .