Abstract

Oxygen consumption, pulmonary ventilation, heart rate, lactate concentration and acid-base balance were measured in six elite triathletes during leg exercise on Monark ergometer. The mean maximal oxygen uptake 71.0 ml/kg/min was higher than reported previously for cycling exercise of triathletes, however was lower than determined for elite cyclists, runners or cross-country skiers. The subjects of our study utilized 78 of their maximal oxygen uptake exercising at fixed lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l. This value is lower than that reported previously for competitive triathletes in other studies. Graded leg exercise resulted in pronounced changes in blood pH, pO2, pCO2 and HCO3 concentration. Observed changes are greater than reported for endurance trained athletes. Our results indicated that triathletes of our study had achieved high level of aerobic capacity characteristic for the ahtletes of any single, endurance sport event. Verf.-Referat