The effect of an Olympic distance triathlon on the respiratory muscle strength and endurance in triathletes

High-intensity exercise, marathons, and long distances triathlons have been shown to induce the fatigue of respiratory muscles (RMs). Never-theless, fatigue and the recovery period have not been studied in re-sponse of an Olympic distance triathlon (1.5-km swim, 40-km bike, 10-km run: short-distance triathlon). The aim of this study was to evaluate the RM fatigue induced by an Olympic distance triathlon. Nine male triath-letes (24±1.1 years) underwent spirometric testing and the assessment of RM performance. Respiratory function tests were conducted in sit-ting position. Spirometric parameters, maximal inspiratory and expirato-ry pressures, and RM endurance assessed by measuring the time limit were evaluated before (pre-T), after (post-T), and the day following the triathlon (post-T-24 hr). Residual volume increased: pre-T vs. post-T (P<0.002), maximal inspiratory pressure significantly decreased from 127.4±17.2 (pre-T) to 121.6±18.5 cmH₂O (post-T) (P<0.001) and returned to the pre-T value 24 hr after the race (125.0±18.6). RM endurance sig-nificantly decreased from 4:51±0:8 (pre-T) to 3:13±0:7 min (post-T, P< 0.001) and then remained decreased for 24 hr after the race from 4:51± 0:8 (pre-T) to 3:39±0:4 min 24 hr after (P<0.002). Both, strength and en-durance of inspiratory muscles decrease after Olympic distance triath-lon. Furthermore, the impaired of inspiratory muscle endurance 24 hr after the race suggested a slow recovery and persistence of inspiratory muscle fatigue.