The differences in gender and the age-related changes in triathlon (swimming, cycling, and running) performances have been previously investigated, but data are missing for duathlon (running, cycling, and running). We investigated the participation and performance trends, as well as the gender differences and the age-related declines in performance, at the ‘Powerman Zofingen’ long-distance duathlon (10 km run, 150 km cycle and 30 km run) from 2002 to 2011. During this period there were 2,236 finishers (272 females and 1,964 males). Linear regression analyses for the three split times, and the total event time, demonstrated that running and cycling times were fairly stable during the last decade for both male and female elite duathletes. The top three overall gender differences in times were 16 %, 17 %, 15 % and 16 %, for the 10 km run, 150 km cycle, 30 km run and the overall race time, respectively. There was a significant (p < 0.001) age effect for each discipline, and for the total race time. The fastest overall race times were achieved between 25 and 39 years old. Female gender and increasing age were associated with increased performance times when additionally controlled for environmental temperatures and race year. There was only a marginal time period effect ranging between 1.3% (first run) and 9.8% (bike split) with 3.3% for overall race time. In accordance with previous observations in triathlons, the age-related decline in the duathlon performance was more pronounced in running than in cycling. Athletes and coaches can use these findings to plan the career in long-distance duathletes with the age of peak performance between 25 and 39 years.

Article Duathlon Zofingen

Despite the increase interest in ultra-endurance events, little research has examined ultra-triathlons performance. The aims of this study were: i) to compare swimming, cycling, running and overall performances in three ultra-distance triathlons, double Ironman distance triathlon (2IMT) (7.6 km swimming, 360 km cycling and 84.4 km running), triple Ironman distance triathlon (3IMT) (11.4 km, 540 km and 126.6 km), and deca Ironman distance triathlon (10IMT) (38 km, 1800 km and 420 km) and ii) to examine the relationships between the 2IMT, 3IMT and 10IMT performances to create predicted equations of the 10IMT performances. Race results from 1985 through 2009 were examined to identify triathletes that performed the three considered ultra-distances. A total a 73 triathletes (68 men and 5 women) were identified. The contribution of swimming to overall ultra-triathlon performance was lower than for cycling and running. Running performance was more important to overall performance for 2IMT and 3IMT compared to 10IMT. The 2IMT and 3IMT performances were significantly correlated with 10IMT performances for swimming and cycling, but not for running. 10IMT total time performance might be predicted by the following equation: 10IMT race time (min) = 5885 + 3.69 x 3IMT race time (min). This analysis of human performance during ultra-distance triathlons represents unique data set in the field of ultra-endurance events. Additional studies are required to determine the physiological and psychological factors associated with ultra-triathlons performance.

Lepers et al. OAJSM (2011)

This study aimed i) to analyse the performances and gender-related differences at the off-road triathlon (1.5-km swim, 30-km mountain biking, and 11-km trail running) world championships of elite males and females since its inception in 1996, and ii) to compare gender-related differences between off-road triathlon and conventional road-based triathlon. Linear regression analyses and ANOVA were used to examine performance trends and gender differences. Elite male time performances stabilized over the 2005-2009 period, but in contrast elite female time performances still improved, especially for the run leg. Gender differences in time performance were lower in swimming compared to mountain biking and running, while in power output were greater for mountain biking than for swimming and running. In addition, gender differences in cycling were greater for off-road compared to conventional on road triathlon. The specific aspects of mountain biking (e.g. level and terrain) may explain, in part, the significant gender differences recorded in cycling for off-road triathlon. Future studies will need to focus on the physiological bases of off-road triathlon and how they differ from conventional triathlon.

Article Lepers & Stapley J Sports Sci (2010)

PURPOSE: i) to investigate the effect of age on gender difference in Hawaii Ironman triathlon performance time, and ii) to compare the gender difference between swimming (3.8 km), cycling (180 km), and running (42 km) performances as a function of age.
METHODS: Gender difference in performance times and estimated power output in the three modes of locomotion were analysed for top 10 men and women amateur triathletes between 18 and 64 yrs of age for three consecutive years (2006 to 2008).
RESULTS: The gender difference in total performance time was stable until 55 yrs of age and then significantly increased. Mean gender difference in performance time was significantly (P < 0.01) smaller for swimming (mean +/- CI 95%: 12.1 +/- 1.9%) compared to cycling (15.4 +/- 0.7%) and running (18.2 +/- 1.3%). In contrast, mean gender difference in cycling estimated power output (38.6 +/- 1.1 %) was significantly (P < 0.01) greater compared to swimming (27.5 +/- 3.8 %) and running (32.6 +/- 0.7 %).
CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study evidenced that gender difference in ultra-endurance performance such as an Ironman triathlon was stable until 55 yrs of age and then increased thereafter and differed between the locomotion modes. Further studies examining the changes in training volume and physiological characteristics with advanced age for men and women are required to better understand the age-associated changes in ultra-endurance performance.

Lepers&Maffiuletti MSSE 2011

We examined the changes in participation and performance trends in ultra-triathlons, from the Double Iron (7.6 km swimming, 360 km cycling, 84.4 km running) to the Deca Iron (38 km swimming, 1800 km cycling, 422 km running), between 1985 (first year of a Double Iron) and 2009 (25 years). The mean finish rate for all distances and races was 75.8%. Women accounted for approximately 8-10% of the ultra-triathlons starters. For Double and Triple Iron, the number of finishers per year increased, from 17 to 98 and from 7 to 41, respectively. In the Deca Iron, the finishers per race have remained <20 since the first event was held, up to 2009. Concerning World best performances, the men were approximately 19% faster than the women in both the Double and Triple Iron, and approximately 30% faster in a Deca Iron. With the increasing length of ultra-triathlons, the best women became relatively slower compared with the best men. Further investigations are required to understand why this gender difference in total performance time increased with the distance in ultra-triathlons.

Article Knechtle & Lepers Scand J Med Sci Sports 2010

Cette étude analyse l'évolution des performances en natation (3,8 km), vélo (180 km), et course à pied (42,2 km) lors du triathlon Ironman d'Hawaï chez les triathlètes élites hommes et les femmes entre 1981 et 2007. Les évolutions des temps et les différences entre les sexes dans les trois disciplines du top 10 masculin et féminin ont été analysés. Les performances globales sur l'Ironman se sont améliorées rapidement depuis 1981, mais sont restées stable depuis la fin des années 1980. De 1988 à 2007, une analyse de régression linéaire montre que l'amélioration des performances en natation, cyclisme, et course à pied pour les hommes et les femmes était inférieure à 1,4% par décennie, sauf pour la course à pied chez les femmes qui a diminuée de 3,8% par décennie. Depuis 1988, les différences moyennes entre les sexes en natation, cyclisme, course et sur le temps total ont été respectivement égales à 9,8% (ET 2,9%), 12,7% (2,0%), 13,3% (3,1%) et 12,6% (1,3%). Après une phase initiale d'amélioration rapide des performances durant les années 1980, on note une relative stabilité des performances. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, la différence entre les sexes en natation est restée stable alors qu'elle a légèrement augmenté en cyclisme et a baissé en course à pied. La différence de performance totale à l'Ironman d'Hawaii entre les sexes est peu susceptible de changer dans l'avenir.

Lepers Med Sci Sports Exerc (2008)