Impact of 8-months training preparation for an Ironman distance triathlon on fitness and immune response in recreational athletes.
5th July 2014 Dr Amy Tanner University of Hertfordshire
[email protected]
Immune response to training • The popularity of extreme endurance events has grown over the past decade • Few studies have investigated the effect of high-volume triathlon training on illness risk • A high training load has been indicated as a predictor of increased risk of URTI symptoms in athletes (Gleeson et al, 2013; Matthews et al., 2010).
Presentation content Aims: 1. to examine the immune response to 8-months preparation for an ironman triathlon. 2. Consider the fitness adaptations in this population
Background to the study • Large triathlon training study • Multifaceted • Collaborative • What did the study entail?
October 2013
November 2013
Month 0
2 month lead in period 102
82
participants screened prior to participation
participants chosen to participate in study
Month 2
Month 4
Month 6
N=82
N=79
N=75
N=73
Biomechanics
Biomechanics
Biomechanics
Biomechanics
Functional screen
Functional screen
Functional screen
Functional screen
Running economy
Running economy
Running economy
Running economy
VO2max
VO2max
VO2max
VO2max
Lactate threshold
Lactate threshold
Lactate threshold
Lactate threshold
HR training zones
HR training zones
HR training zones
HR training zones
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Training load
Training load
Training load
Training load
Nutrition diary
Nutrition diary
Nutrition diary
Nutrition diary
Immune (n=18) VO2max, saliva sample, illness diary
Immune (n=16) VO2max, saliva sample, illness diary
Immune (n=15) VO2max, saliva sample, illness diary
Immune (n=14) VO2max, saliva sample, illness diary
Psychology – mental toughness
Psychology – mental toughness
Psychology – mental toughness
Psychology – mental toughness
Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition
Month 8
Main group (n=40)
Nutrition (n=20)
Performance trial
July, August, September 40km time trial
Tests Urine Saliva Faeces Tailored nutrition advice/None
Immune (n=12) VO2max, saliva sample, illness diary
October 6th 2013 = Challenge Barcelona
Participant characteristics (Mean ± SD) Group
Age (y)
Height (m) Weight (kg)
VO2maxT (mL.kg.mi n)
Race time (hr:min:sec)
IMM (n=12)
32 ± 8
1.75±0.08
73.1 ± 11.3
48 ± 5
14:00:45 ± 01:14:21
CON (n=11)
41 ± 7
1.70 ±0.11
71.4 ± 11.1
43 ± 9
N/A
Methods • Baseline, 2, 4, 6 and 8 month measurements – Treadmill VO2max – Salivary IgA – Salivary lysozyme
• Weekly – illness symptom questionnaire – Training load
Methods Illness episodes • Self assessed questionnaire • Score >12 classified as an illness episode
Salivary measurements • passive collection • Minimal orofacial movement • 3 minute timed collection
Results – training load 6000 #
*
5000
Training Load
#
#
4000
IMM CON
*
3000 2000 1000 0 2
4
6
8
Month
* = sig difference from Month 2 (p