Report

A multi-factorial assessment of elite para triathletes' response to 2 weeks of intensified training.

Intensified training does not necessarily increase parameters associated with fatigue and training or non-training related stress in para triathletes.

Lead academic:
Dr Ben Stephenson
Additional academics:
Dr Christof Leicht, Dr Keith Tolfrey
Funder:
The Peter Harrison Foundation

Introduction

In able-bodied athletes, several hormonal, immunological, and psychological parameters are commonly assessed in response to intensified training due to their potential relationship to acute fatigue and training/non-training stress. This has not been studied in Paralympic athletes.

Methods

Ten elite para triathletes were studied for five weeks around a 14-day overseas training camp whereby training load was 137% of pre-camp levels. Athletes provided: six saliva samples (one pre-camp, four during camp, one post-camp) for cortisol, testosterone, and secretory immunoglobulin A; weekly psychological questionnaires (POMS and RESTQ-S); daily resting heart rate and subjective wellness measures including sleep quality and quantity.

Main Findings 

  • There was no significant change in salivary cortisol, testosterone, cortisol: testosterone ratio or secretory immunoglobulin A during intensified training.
  • There was no meaningful change in resting heart rate or subjective wellness measures.
  • Subjective sleep quality and quantity increased during intensified training (p≤0.003).
  • There was no significant effect on any POMS subscale other than lower anger.
  • There was greater general recovery and lower sport and general stress from RESTQ-S (p≤0.015).
  • There was little to no change in parameters commonly associated with the fatigued state which may relate to the training camp setting minimising external life stresses and the careful management of training loads from coaches.

References

Stephenson BT, Leicht CA, Tolfrey K, Goosey-Tolfrey VL. A Multi-Factorial Assessment of Elite Paratriathletes' Response to Two Weeks of Intensified Training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2019 Jul 1;14(7):911-917. DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0838. PMID: 30569793.

 

Image credit: © Paralympics GB