TRAINING ADAPTATION AND BIOLOGICAL CHANGES AMONG WELL-TRAINED MALE TRIATHLETES

The distinction between training and overtraining responses is an impo rtant prerequisite for any potential marker for monitoring overtrainin g in athletes. In this study, eight well-trained male triathletes unde rtook physical performance assessments, at 6 weekly intervals, through out a 9-month intensive training season. At each assessment, a resting blood sample was obtained for determination of a number of biological parameters previously associated with overtraining. All athletes prod uced significant (P < 0.05) improvements in running speed at anaerobic threshold (ATRS) from 15.6 +/- 0.2 k.h(-1) at the start of the season to 16.6 +/- 0.6 k.h(-1) at the time of major competitions. This impro vement in performance was taken as evidence of well balanced training programs. Significant changes (P < 0.05) in plasma glutamine and plasm a uric acid concentrations were observed during the training season, a nd both correlated moderately with ATRS (r = 0.365 and r = -0.328, res pectively). None of the other parameters measured showed any significa nt changes during the training season. The elevations in plasma glutam ine concentration observed in response to long-term balanced training may be distinguishable from previous reports of decreased glutamine co ncentrations in overtrained athletes, making it a potentially valuable tool in the monitoring of overtraining in athletes.