Key result
Middle- and long-distance triathlon training in female athletes did not cause right or left ventricular dysfunction, with athletes demonstrating a mean VO2max of 52.8 ml/min/kg.
Why the study?
Does long-distance triathlon training cause right or left ventricular dysfunction in healthy female athletes?
Observational (n=33)
Does long-distance triathlon training cause right or left ventricular dysfunction in healthy female athletes?
Long-term endurance training in female ironman-triathletes is associated with excellent physiological performance without evidence of right or left ventricular dysfunction.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports preserved ventricular function with endurance training in female triathletes; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective confirmation.
Background: Data about physiological performance of female ironman-triathletes are rare. However, some papers reported endurance sport may cause damage of the right or left ventricle even in females. Aim: The goal of this study was to assess prospectively the right/left ventricular function and physiological performance in female ironman-athletes (middle- and long-distance). Methods: 33 female healthy triathletes were examined using spiroergometry and echocardiography. Inclusion criterion was participation in at least one middle distance triathlon. results: VO2max 52.8 ± 5.7 ml/min/kg, Wmax 264.0 ± 26.1, VAT (aerobic threshold) VO2 38.5 ± 7.9 ml/min/kg, 193.0 ± 48.4 Watt. In respect of echocardiographic readings LVEDD (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter) was 4.4 ± 0.3 cm and the left ventricular muscle mass (LVM) was 145.9 ± 31.3 g (LVM index 85.8 g/m² ± 18.7). Conclusions: The performance date of female triathletes can be used as training goals for leisure female triathletes, when middle or long distances in triathlon competitions should be finished. In respect of echocardiographic parameters a right or left ventricular dysfunction could not be found despite of long times of training and finishing of long distance competitions (5.4 ± 2.8 years triathlon competitions non-elite and 7.6 ± 5.8 years elite athletes).
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Roman Leischik (2014) conducted an observational in Healthy female triathletes (n=33). Middle- and long-distance triathlon training was evaluated on Right/left ventricular function and physiological performance. Middle- and long-distance triathlon training in female athletes did not cause right or left ventricular dysfunction, with athletes demonstrating a mean VO2max of 52.8 ml/min/kg.
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