Triathlon Transition Tests: Overview and Recommendations for Future Research.

Abstract

Overview

Triathlon performance is influenced by a competitors’ discipline specific ability, across all three of its sub events, relative to who else is in the race field. Residual fatigue and or altered movement patterns, as a result of the preceding swim and cycle, may lead to a competitor completing the run in less than his/her optimal manner. This may then impact on his/her overall race result (Cala et al., 2009; Vleck et al., 2008). The shorter the race distance and the higher the exercise intensity that is required, the more important a good cycle-to-run transition (T2) is likely to be to the athlete’s overall placing (Millet and Vleck 2000, Vleck, Bürgi & Bentley, 2006; Vleck et al., 2008).
In this editorial, we consider (T2) to be “the period from the last kilometre of the cycle section through to the end of the first kilometre of the run.” We refer our readers to Millet and Vleck (2000)’s review of the physiological, biomechanical, and sensory affects of the Olympic cycle to run transition on junior and Elite triathletes, and focus here on the currently available tests for “T2 ability.” Leer + PDF