Physiologic and metabolic comparison of older ( > 50 y.o.) triathletes to healthy normals, part i

PURPOSE To describe physiologic and metabolic characteristics of post-menopausal female triathletes competing at the Hawaii Ironman triathlon (Kona, Hawaii; 2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run). METHODS Four women (age range: 56–63 y.o.) representative of female competitors over 50 years old participated in the study. These 4 athletes completed a pre-race test set consisting of a medical history, training and diet questionnaire, cycle Vo2max (ramped protocol, 25 watts*min−1), body composition (air-displacement plethysmography), lipid profile, electrolytes, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. RESULTS Average finish time was 14:32 (range: 13:06–16:47, ± 1:58) vs. a race average: 14:40 for all women > 50 y.o. Study subjects had trained an average of 13 years (4 − 22) for triathlon and completed an average of 5.5 previous Hawaii Ironman triathlons (1 − 14). Reported average weekly training mileage consisted of: swim=5.6mi, bike=196mi, run=36mi. Cycle Vo2max averaged 41.5 mlO2*kg−1*min−1 (37.5 − 47.1, ± 4.2) or 2336 mlO2*min−1 (1968 − 2646, ± 286), 161% of age/sex matched healthy normals. Wattage at Vo2max averaged 215 watts (121–252, ± 63). Anaerobic Threshold (V-slope method) averaged 25.1 mlO2*kg−1*min−1 (21.9–27.7, ± 2.4), or 1413 mlO2*min−1 (1152 − 1559, ± 192). AT was 60% (59–64, ± 2.5) Vo2max. Wattage at AT averaged 116 watts (90–128, ± 18). Average body fat was 26.3% (20.6–33.1, ± 5.5). Cholesterol averaged 229 mg/dL (217 − 262, ± 22). Hemoglobin averaged 13.6 g/dL (12.4–15.0, ± 1.3). According to CRP levels, 2/4 athletes were in the lowest risk category (0.0–0.6 mg/L) and 2/4 were in the low risk category (0.7–1.1 mg/L) for cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION Although more data are necessary to accurately categorize this unique population, these data may be a useful starting point to judge what is normal for post-menopausal Ironwomen athletes.