CORRELATIONS BETWEEN SHORT-COURSE TRIATHLON PERFORMANCE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES DETERMINED IN LABORATORY CYCLE AND TREADMILL TESTS

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between phy siological variables measured in graded cycling (CM) and treadmill run ning (RM) maximal tests and the performance of a short-course triathlo n (1 km swim, 30 km cycling and 8 km running) in recreational triathle tes. Ten male athletes with mean (+/-SD) age of 27.4(+/-5.7) years and maximal oxygen consumption ((V) over dot O-2peak) of 63.3(+/-8.95) mL .kg(-1).min(-1) participated in the study. The results showed that the (V) over dot O-2peak and (V) over dot O-2 at ventilatory threshold (( V) over dot O-2VT) determined in CM were significantly correlated to t he overall and running times of the triathlon (r=-0.64-0.77, p less th an or equal to 0.05). The (V) over dot O-2peak and (V) over dot O-2VT determined in RM were also correlated to the running time when express ed as mL.kg(-1).min(-1) (r=-0.73, p less than or equal to 0.05), The V T expressed as % (V) over dot O-2peak in both tests showed no signific ant correlations to triathlon performance, It appears that it is the a bsolute aerobic capacity of these athletes being critical to maintain a high exercise intensity in the triathlon, especially during the runn ing segment, The mean heart rate (HR) measured in four subjects during the cycling and running segments of the triathlon was similar to the HR at VT determined in CM, which indicated that these athletes could m aintain an exercise intensity close to the VT level during the competi tion. There was no significant correlation found between the swimming time and physiological variables measured in the laboratory cycling an d running tests, which could be explained by the specific skills and e conomy of movement required in these exercises.