Triathalon Training
Will training for a triathalon make you a better cyclist?
World-class triathletes are slower runners, swimmers
and cyclists than athletes who compete in only one sport. A
study from the University of Toulon-Var in France shows that
swimming before cycling slows you down (Canadian Journal of
Applied Physiology, August 2005). Well-trained male triathletes
pedaled for 30 minutes on a stationary bicycle at 75 percent of
their maximal aerobic power, with a cadence of 95 revolutions
per minute. Later they did the same exercise after swimming
1500 meters.
After swimming, they had a 13 percent reduction in
efficiency, and significantly higher blood lactate levels. Fatigue
from swimming caused them to lose their efficient form so that
they had to work much harder to maintain the same pace.
Fatigue has the same effect on all athletes. A fresh field goal
kicker in football will perform better than one who has played the
entire game. Triathletes will always swim, run and cycle slower
than comparable athletes training for only one sport. However,
triathletes have fewer injuries.
Checked 9/29/08