The nature and relationship of endurance training on triathlon performance

Triathlon training specificity advocates the construction of training programs that utilize the neuromuscular patterns and energy systems used in a sports activity.;Triathletes appear to be physically and physiologically similar to single sport endurance athletes. Little is known, however, how triathletes currently train or how the three training modes affect race performance. This research answered the following questions: (1) How are male amateur triathletes currently training in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity in each mode? (2) Is training energy expenditure related to triathlon race performance?;The following research project uses a derivation of the Jackson et al. (1990) nonexercise functional aerobic capacity models (N-Ex) methodology for estimating VO;These triathletes were quite similar to other competitive amateur triathletes previously studied in height, weight, and VO;Cycling and swimming caloric expenditures both correlated significantly with their respective race split times. Running training caloric expenditure did not. Specificity of training thus tended to define cycling and swimming performance, but not running. Cycling caloric expenditure had the highest correlation with total race time. Neither the swimming nor running caloric expenditures correlated significantly with total race time. Cycling training expenditure correlated significantly with race swim, cycle, and run times. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).