The constituent year effect on masters triathlon athletes

Objectives: The study evaluated whether a participation- and performance–related constituent year effect exists among athletes participating in Brazilian Masters Triathlon competitions from 2011 to 2017. Method: Using data from the website of the Brazilian Triathlon Confederation, the frequency of participation was analysed and ranking scores were compared on triathletes as a function of the constituent year. Results: The results showed a participation-related constituent year effect for the total sample and for male (χ24 = 30.778, p < 0.0001), but not for female (χ24 = 5.932, p = 0.20). Also, participation-related constituent year effects existed during the fourth (χ24 = 22.224, p < 0.001) and fifth (χ24 = 10.794, p = 0.029) decade of life, but not for the sixth (χ24 = 5.570, p = 0.234) decade. When comparing the three highest ranking scores as a function to the constituent year within any five-year age category, no significant difference was observed for the total sample, gender and decade of life. Conclusions: The constituent year effect exists only in male triathletes; however, this phenomenon does not seem to influence the performance of the ranking.