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Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes

Received: 10 March 2014    Accepted:     Published: 30 March 2014
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Abstract

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: The triathletes achieved the following 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).

Published in American Journal of Sports Science (Volume 2, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16
Page(s) 41-47
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Triathlon, Ironman, Cardiac Fatigue, Female Athletes

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Roman Leischik, Spelsberg N., Littwitz H., Dworrak B. (2014). Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes. American Journal of Sports Science, 2(2), 41-47. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16

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    ACS Style

    Roman Leischik; Spelsberg N.; Littwitz H.; Dworrak B. Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes. Am. J. Sports Sci. 2014, 2(2), 41-47. doi: 10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16

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    AMA Style

    Roman Leischik, Spelsberg N., Littwitz H., Dworrak B. Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes. Am J Sports Sci. 2014;2(2):41-47. doi: 10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16,
      author = {Roman Leischik and Spelsberg N. and Littwitz H. and Dworrak B.},
      title = {Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes},
      journal = {American Journal of Sports Science},
      volume = {2},
      number = {2},
      pages = {41-47},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajss.20140202.16},
      abstract = {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: The triathletes achieved the following 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).},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes
    AU  - Roman Leischik
    AU  - Spelsberg N.
    AU  - Littwitz H.
    AU  - Dworrak B.
    Y1  - 2014/03/30
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16
    T2  - American Journal of Sports Science
    JF  - American Journal of Sports Science
    JO  - American Journal of Sports Science
    SP  - 41
    EP  - 47
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8540
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20140202.16
    AB  - 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: The triathletes achieved the following 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).
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Cardiology, Section Prevention and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany

  • Department of Cardiology, Section Prevention and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany

  • Department of Cardiology, Section Prevention and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany

  • Department of Cardiology, Section Prevention and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany

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