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The effect of multi-cycle-run blocks on pulmonary function in triathletes
1Laboratoire ACTE, UFR-STAPS Antilles-Guyane, Université Antilles-Guyane, Campus de Fouillole, Pointé à Pitre, France.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|September 5, 2001
Summary
Multi-block cycle-run exercise elicits greater cardiorespiratory responses in triathletes compared to simple transitions. This training method may enhance adaptations for the cycle-run transition, but requires further long-term evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Pulmonary Function Testing
Background:
- Triathletes experience unique physiological demands during combined cycle-run events.
- Understanding pulmonary responses to different exercise sequences is crucial for training optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine pulmonary responses during multi-cycle-run exercise in triathletes.
- To compare these responses to a simple cycle-run succession.
Main Methods:
- Twelve male triathletes performed incremental cycling, a simple cycle-run (C-R), and a multi-block cycle-run (X-CR) trial.
- Lung function tests (spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide - DL(CO)) were conducted before and after trials.
- Ventilatory data were collected continuously during exercise.
Main Results:
- Cardiorespiratory responses (VE/VCO2, HR) were higher during running in the X-CR trial.
- Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL(CO)) and DL(CO)/VA significantly decreased post-exercise in both C-R and X-CR trials.
- No significant changes in pulmonary volumes were observed.
Conclusions:
- Multi-block cycle-run exercise elicits greater cardioventilatory demands than a simple cycle-run succession.
- The multi-block approach may be beneficial for stimulating specific adaptations for the cycle-run transition.
- Longer-term studies are needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of the multi-block training model.