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Evaluation of reliability of field tests to predict performance during Ironman Triathlon

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Abstract

The reliability of functional evaluation tests to predict performance in Ironman contests is scarce and the results are often equivocal. The purpose of this study was to identify which pre-competition test could best predict Ironman competition outcome. Seven male tri-athletes were recruited 6–8 weeks prior to Ironman Austria. Each athlete performed two maximal incremental tests on the field, a cycling (test A), and a running test (test B). Correlation between cycling and running mean speed during Ironman phases and oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), pulmonary ventilation (V E), heart rate (HR), oxygen pulse (OP) and cost of motion (C m), collected during tests, was demonstrated. Significant correlation was found for VO2 at respiratory compensation point (RCP) (r 2 = 0.73; P < 0.05) and at peak exercise (r 2 = 0.73; P < 0.05) during the test. Moreover, V E showed significant correlation both at RCP (r 2 = 0.73; P < 0.05) and at peak exercise (r 2 = 0.61; P < 0.05) values reached during the test. Mean cycling speed and OP values at RCP and peak exercise during test A showed significant correlation (r 2 = 0.76; P < 0.05 and r 2 = 0.87; P < 0.05, respectively). The C m value at RCP during test A demonstrated significant correlation (r 2 = 0.67; P < 0.05). No correlation between mean running speed during the running fraction of the Ironman and any of the variables collected during test B was demonstrated. The results of the present investigation suggest that pre-competition evaluation tests are of limited use to predict competition outcome.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the University of Cagliari, the Italian Ministry of Scientific Research, and the National Olympic Committee of Italy. The authors wish to thank the leader of the medical area of Ironman Kärnten 2011, Dr. Walter Primosch, and his medical staff for their welcome and kindness.

We also thank Mr. Barry Mark Wheaton for his linguistic and editing assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Sciences, Sport Physiology Laboratory, School of Sport Medicine, University of Cagliari, Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Elisabetta Marongiu, Antonio Crisafulli, Marco Pinna, Giovanna Ghiani, Alberto Concu & Filippo Tocco

  2. Sardinian Regional School of Sport, Italian Olympic Committee, Cagliari, Italy

    Nardino Degortes

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  1. Elisabetta Marongiu
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  2. Antonio Crisafulli
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  3. Marco Pinna
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  4. Giovanna Ghiani
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  5. Nardino Degortes
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  6. Alberto Concu
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  7. Filippo Tocco
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Correspondence to Filippo Tocco.

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Marongiu, E., Crisafulli, A., Pinna, M. et al. Evaluation of reliability of field tests to predict performance during Ironman Triathlon. Sport Sci Health 9, 65–71 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-013-0147-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-013-0147-8

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