Investigation of General Preparation Period in Turkish Elite Triathletes

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 22 - 27

Okan Kamiş , Murat Erdoğan , Noyan Pamukçu , Nasuh Evrim Acar

Abstract

Triathlon is an endurance-based sport, and performance success is strongly impacted by the training done throughout the general preparation phase. The aim of this study was to examine the duration, frequency, and volume of the general preparation phase training block in elite male triathletes. The 5-week training loads of 11 elite male triathletes (Height:179 cm ∓2.82, Weight: 76 ∓10.77 kg) in the general training period were examined. The weekly averages of endurance-based long-distance swimming training sessions were found to be (1.9 sessions, 204.5 minutes, and 5.4 kilometers), the weekly averages of endurance-based long-distance biking training sessions were found to be (1.5 sessions, 316.4 minutes, and 160 kilometers), the weekly averages of endurance-based long-distance running training sessions were found to be (1.5 sessions, 89.1 minutes, and 44.8 kilometers). These training sessions were identified as the most commonly performed exercises by coaches during the general preparation phase. The training sessions that are most frequently performed are followed by sprint swimming workouts in terms of duration and sprint biking workouts in terms of volume. When disciplines analyzed the durations of weekly training sessions, it was found that swimming accounted for approximately 360 minutes (Long: 204.5 minutes, Sprint: 128.2 minutes, Other: 27.27 minutes), biking accounted for approximately 460 minutes (Long: 316.4 minutes, Hill: 125.5 minutes, Sprint: 19 minutes), and running accounted for approximately 310 minutes (Long: 89.1 minutes, Hill: 62.1 minutes, Sprint: 61.3 minutes, Other: 98.1 minutes).

Keywords

triathlon, triathletes, periodization, training, elite athletes

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Aksaray University ethics committee(approval number: E-34183927-000-00000903391).

Supporting Institution

Aksaray Universitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri (BAP) Koordinasyon Birimi

Project Number

2024-029

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the Turkish Triathlon Federation and triathletes. This research was supported by the Scientific Research Project Coordinatorship/BAP of Aksaray University (Project number:2024-029).

References

• Ambrosini, L., Presta, V., Galli, D., Mirandola, P., Vitale, M., Gobbi, G., & Condello, G. (2022). Interlink between physiological and biomechanical changes in the swim-to-cycle transition in triathlon events: A narrative review. Sports Medicine-Open, 8(1), 1-12. [PubMed]
• Arroyo-Toledo, J.J., Clemente, V.J., Gonzalez-Rave, J.M., Ramos Campo, D.J., & Sortwell, A. (2013). Comparison between traditional and reverse periodization: swimming performance and specific strength values. 2(1), 87-96. Bentley, D.J., Millet, G. P., Vleck, V.E., & McNaughton, L. R. (2002). Specific aspects of contemporary triathlon: implications for physiological analysis and performance. Sports Medicine, 32, 345-359. [Crossref]
• Bompa TO.(1999). Periodization Training: Theory and Methodology. 4th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Dallam, G. M., & Jonas, S. (2008). Championship triathlon training. Human Kinetics.
• Erdoğan M. (2022).Importance of General Preparation Season for Triathlets and Traning Aplications. Turkish Triathlon Federation National Coach Development Seminar.
• Esteve-Lanao, J., Foster, C., Seiler, S., & Lucia, A. (2007). Impact of training intensity distribution on performance in endurance athletes. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 21(3), 943-949. [Crossref]
• Esteve-Lanao, J., Moreno-Pérez, D., Cardona, C.A., Larumbe-Zabala, E., Muñoz, I., Sellés, S., & Cejuela, R. (2017). Is Marathon training harder than the ironman training? an ECO-method comparison. Frontiers in physiology, 8. [Crossref]
• Esteve-Lanao, J., San Juan, A. F., Earnest, C. P., Foster, C., & Lucia, A. (2005). How do endurance runners actually train? Relationship with competition performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37(3), 496-504 [Crossref]
• Etxebarria, N., Mujika, I., & Pyne, D.B. (2019). Training and competition readiness in triathlon. Sports, 7(5), 101. [Crossref]
• Friel, J., & Vance, J. (Ed.). (2013). Triathlon Science. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from [Crossref]
• Gejl, K.D., & Nybo, L. (2021). Performance effects of periodized carbohydrate restriction in endurance trained athletes-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1), 37. [Crossref]
• Karaküçük, S. (2008). Recreation and leisure time evaluation (6th Edition). Ankara: Gazi Bookstore. Karasar, N. (2008). Scientific Research Method. Ankara: Nobel Publishing House.
• Korkia, P. K., Tunstall-Pedoe, D. S., & Maffulli, N. (1994). An epidemiological investigation of training and injury patterns in British triathletes. British journal of sports medicine, 28(3), 191-196. [Crossref]
• Matveyev LP. (1981). Fundamentals of Sport Training. Moscow, Russia: Progress Publishers.
• Millet, G.P., Vleck, V.E., & Bentley, D.J. (2011). Physiological requirements in triathlon. 6(2), 184-204. [Crossref]
• Öztürk, S. (2019). Reasons for Starting Triathlon and Expectations of Triathletes in the Turkish National Team. Master's Thesis, Balikesir University, Balikesir.
• Puccinelli, P. J., Lima, G. H., Pesquero, J. B., de Lira, C. A., Vancini, R. L., Nikolaids, P. T., Andrade, M. S. (2020). Previous experience, aerobic capacity and body composition are the best predictors for Olympic distance triathlon performance: Predictors in amateur triathlon. Physiology & behavior, 225, 110-113. [Crossref]
• Seiler, S. (2010). What is best practice for training intensity and duration distribution in endurance athletes? International journal of sports physiology and performance, 5(3), 276-291. [Crossref]
• Uusitalo. (1998). Endurance training, overtraining and baroreflex sensitivity in female athletes. Clinical Physiology, 18(6), 510-520 [Crossref]
• Vleck, V., Millet, G.P., & Alves, F. B. (2014). The impact of triathlon training and racing on athletes' general health. Sports Medicine, 44(12), 1659-1692. [Crossref]
• Wallmann, H., & Rosania, J. (2001). An introduction to periodization training for the triathlete. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 23(6), 55-64. [Crossref]
• Wu, S. S., Peiffer, J. J., Brisswalter, J., Nosaka, K., & Abbiss, C. R. (2014). Factors influencing pacing in triathlon. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 223-234. [Crossref]