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Related Experiment Videos

Drafting during swimming improves efficiency during subsequent cycling.

Anne Delextrat1, Veronique Tricot, Thierry Bernard

  • 1University of Toulon-Var, Department of Ergonomics, La Garde cedex, France.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|September 16, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Drafting behind competitors during the swim portion of a triathlon significantly improves cycling efficiency. This study shows that swimming in a drafting position enhances subsequent cycling performance in triathletes.

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Science
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Triathlon Performance

Background:

  • Triathlon involves three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running.
  • Drafting, or swimming behind a competitor, is a common tactic in open-water swimming.
  • The impact of drafting during the swim on subsequent cycling performance is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of drafting during a wetsuit swim on physiological parameters and cycling cadence.
  • To determine if swimming in a drafting position improves subsequent cycling efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Eight trained male triathletes participated in two counterbalanced submaximal sessions.
  • Sessions included a 750-m swim at competition pace followed by a 15-min cycling test at 75% maximal aerobic power.

Related Experiment Videos

  • One session involved swimming in a drafting position (SDC), while the other was an isolated swim (SAC).

    • Main Results:

    • Cycling efficiency was significantly improved by 4.8% (P < 0.05) when the cycling session followed a drafting swim (SDC) compared to an isolated swim (SAC).
    • This improvement suggests a lower relative intensity during the SDC swimming bout.

    Conclusions:

    • Drafting during the swim leg of a triathlon offers a significant advantage for subsequent cycling performance.
    • The findings highlight the importance of swimming conditions and the benefits of drafting in sprint triathlons.