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Performance level and cardiopulmonary responses during a cycle-run trial
O Hue1, D Le Gallais, A Boussana
1Laboratoire Sport, Performance Santé, UFR-STAPS, Montpellier, France. Olivier.Hue@univ-ag.fr
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|June 15, 2000
Summary
Competitive triathletes exhibit altered cardiorespiratory responses and pulmonary function during cycle-run succession compared to elite athletes. This suggests performance level impacts physiological adaptations to multi-sport exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Pulmonary Function Testing
Background:
- Triathlon performance relies on efficient transitions between cycling and running.
- Cardiorespiratory responses and pulmonary function during the cycle-run succession are critical for performance.
- Understanding performance level differences in these responses can inform training and injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of triathlete performance level (Competitive vs. Elite) on cardiorespiratory responses during a cycle-run succession.
- To assess changes in pulmonary function (spirometry, diffusing capacity) after a simulated triathlon effort.
- To identify potential physiological mechanisms underlying performance differences in the transition from cycling to running.
Main Methods:
- Four laboratory trials were conducted: incremental treadmill test, incremental cycle test, a 30-min cycle followed by a 20-min run (C-R), and a 20-min control run (R).
- Participants included regionally/nationally-ranked (Competitive) and internationally-ranked (Elite) male triathletes.
- Ventilatory data, blood lactate, and lung function (spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide - DL(CO)) were measured.
Main Results:
- Oxygen uptake during post-cycling running was similar between Competitive and Elite groups.
- Ventilatory responses (VE, VE/VO2, VE/VC02, f) were significantly higher in the Competitive group during C-R running compared to running alone.
- A significant decrease in DL(CO) was observed after the C-R trial in the Competitive group but not in the Elite group.
Conclusions:
- Ventilatory responses during the run segment of a cycle-run succession are influenced by triathlete performance level.
- The cycle-run trial induced specific pulmonary function alterations in Competitive triathletes, potentially linked to respiratory muscle fatigue and exercise-induced hypoxemia.
- Elite triathletes demonstrate greater resilience in maintaining pulmonary function during simulated triathlon efforts.