Previous cycling does not affect running efficiency during a triathlon world cup competition.

AIM

The most strategic part of a triathlon is the cycle-run transition. However, all the studies about this situation have been carried out in laboratory conditions and there is a need to perform this kind of study during competition, when the triathletes are highly motivated and the effort is maximum.1 Therefore, the aims of the present study were: 1) to determine the effect of prior 40-km cycling on the 10-km running kinematics during a Triathlon World Cup competition, and 2) to examine the possible differences between males and females.

METHODS

Ten men and ten women, selected among the first ten competitors at the end of the cycling part at Madrid 2006 BG Triathlon World Cup, were enrolled in the study. The kinematic analysis was carried out using a photogrammetric technique (DLT algorithms) in the saggital plane (2D).

RESULTS

There are significant differences (P<0.05) in men's stride length and velocity between the first and the last lap. Also, significant differences (P<0.05) were found between men and women in many of the variables analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

The previous cycling does not affect the subsequent running efficiency during a elite triathlon competition. On the other hand, the running technique profile during a triathlon competition is very different between men and women.