Abstract
In order to determine the energy expenditure and heart rate during triathlon race, we tried to record ECG during triathlon competitions by using a newly developed waterproof Holter-electrocardiograph. Five college-level triathletes, 19-22 years old, 3 men and 2 women, volunteered in this study. ECGs in 4 subjects with Holter ECG (FM-180, Fukuda Denshi) and heart rates in 2 subjects by HR monitor (TZ-MAX50, Acumen) were recorded during triathlon competitions. Three incremental exercise tests until exhaustion in swimming, cycling and running were carried out in the laboratory and oxygen consumption and heart rate were monitered. Using the individual correlating equation between heart rate and oxygen consumption, energy expenditure during triathlon race was estimated. Except minimum artifacts during swimming, high quality recordings of ECG were obtained during triathlon race. No subject showed any arrhythmia except minimum numbers of premature beats. Mean competition time (±SD) for Olympic distance (1.5 km swimming, 40 km cycling and 10 km running) was 2h31m17s ±20m25s. Time for swim, bicycle and run were 27m41s ±4m23s, 1h13m05s ± 6m30s, and 50m31s ± 6m30s, respectively. Total heart beats and heart beats for swim, bicycle and run were 26539 ±3120, 4706 ±719, 1283 ±1079 and 8995 ±1610 beats, respectively. HR for race and HR for swim, bicycle and run were 175.9 ±6.5, 170.4 ±9.8, 175.8 ±6.3 and 179.0 ±6.4 bpm, respectively. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S88]
