Abstract
Introduction
Ironman triathletes undergo high workloads during competition preparation which can result in nonfunctional overreaching or overtraining syndrome if not matched with adequate recovery.
Purpose
The purpose of this case study was to observe changes in physiological and psychological status over the course of a competitive season in a free-living triathlete.
Methods
The subject was a 41-year-old triathlete competing in three 113.1-km events. Over the course of a 40-week period, the participant arrived at the laboratory every 4 weeks and underwent body composition testing via air displacement plethysmography, a blood draw for analysis of various biomarkers, and a treadmill-based lactate threshold test. Workload during training and competitions was monitored via a wearable heart rate-monitoring device.
Results
Throughout the season, training volume remained high (12.5 ± 3.4 h/week) and body mass and fat-free mass (FFM) continuously decreased, while biomarkers including cortisol, testosterone, and markers of immunological status exhibited minor changes. Laboratory performance remained relatively consistent, while competition performance continually improved. Following the completion of the competitive period, training volume decreased, FFM remained below baseline levels, free cortisol increased, and both free and total testosterone decreased.
Conclusions
Workload and recovery seem to have been properly managed throughout the season, evidenced by minimal fluctuations in endocrine and immunological markers. The reason for changes observed in testosterone, cortisol, and body composition following the last competition is unclear, though it may be attributed to changes in stressors and recovery practices outside of training. It is recommended that athletes follow a structured plan during the transition period into the offseason to ensure recovery of physiological state and to set up a productive offseason.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Abbreviations
- %BF:
-
Body fat percentage
- %Sat:
-
Percent saturation
- BM:
-
Body mass
- CBC:
-
Complete blood count
- CK:
-
Creatine kinase
- CMP:
-
Comprehensive metabolic panel
- CRP:
-
C-reactive protein
- DHA:
-
Docosahexaenoic acid
- EEE:
-
Exercise energy expenditure
- EPA:
-
Eicosapentaenoic acid
- FFM:
-
Fat-free mass
- GH:
-
Growth hormone
- GXT:
-
Graded exercise test
- HPA:
-
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
- HPG:
-
Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal
- HR:
-
Heart rate
- IBC:
-
Iron-binding capacity
- IgA:
-
Immunoglobulin A
- IGF-1:
-
Insulin-like growth factor-1
- IL-6:
-
Interleukin-6
- LDH:
-
Lactate dehydrogenase
- LT:
-
Lactate threshold
- MTDS:
-
Multicomponent Training Distress Scale
- NFOR:
-
Nonfunctional overreaching
- OTS:
-
Overtraining syndrome
- PSQI:
-
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
- SHBG:
-
Sex hormone-binding globulin
- T3:
-
Triiodothyronine
- T4:
-
Thyroxine
- TSH:
-
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
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Funding
This study was funded by Quest Diagnostics.
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AJW and SMA conceived the idea and designed the study. HPC, MLB, AJW, AJC, and BAM performed data collection. HPC performed data analysis and prepared the manuscript. All authors reviewed data analysis and interpretations, revised the manuscript, and read and approved the final manuscript.
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All procedures and protocols performed in this study were approved by the Rutgers University Institutional Review Board in accordance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. The research participant provided written informed consent upon enrollment in the study.
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Communicated by Michael I Lindinger.
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Cintineo, H.P., Bello, M.L., Walker, A.J. et al. Monitoring training, performance, biomarkers, and psychological state throughout a competitive season: a case study of a triathlete. Eur J Appl Physiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05414-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05414-x