The Olympic triathlon race included a 1.5-K swim, a 40-K bike-ride, and a 10-K run. Triathletes often felt muscle soreness after a triathlon race. This kind of muscle soreness is associated with damaged muscle cell. The mechanical stress is the main factor to induce muscle damage. Muscle damage cause myocellular protein release into the blood, such as creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (Mb), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Some studies also indicated that intense endurance muscular activity may cause prolific production of free radicals due to large oxygen consumption. Free radicals can damage muscle cell membrane, induces the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Purpose: To investigate the effect a triathlon race on the indices of muscle damage, MDA formation and hematological parameters. Methods: Ten male triathletes (age=27.1±4.1 yrs, height=170.8±5.4 cm, weight=69.1±6.0 kg) were studied before and after the 2001 Uni-President Cup Triathlon in Taiwan. The mean finish time was 2hrs 25±7 min. The blood samples were obtained 12 hrs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (H0), 1 hour (H1), 24 (H24), 72 (H72), and 120 (H120) hours after the race. The blood samples were analysed for CK, Mb, LDH, hematological parameters and MDA concentrations. Values were corrected for the percentage change in plasma volume. Results: The Serum CK increased significantly (p<.05) at H24 and H72, as the serum Mb was significantly higher at H0 and H1 as compared to Pre. Serum LDH was significantly elevated at H0, H1, H24, and H72. The hematological parameters revealed that there is a acute inflammatory response, but no significant change in plasma MDA concentrations was found. Conclusion: A triathlon race may induce acute inflammation and muscle damage, but these indices will return to pre-values at H24 and H72. Compare pre-race with post-race values, no statistical difference in the lipid peroxidation index. Hence, a triathlon race does not lead to oxidative damage, and muscle damage is not due to the lipid peroxidation. In this study, a triathlon race may induce acute physiological stress and muscle damage, but these phenomenons will return to baseline in five days.
The Olympic triathlon race included a 1.5-K swim, a 40-K bike-ride, and a 10-K run. Triathletes often felt muscle soreness after a triathlon race. This kind of muscle soreness is associated with damaged muscle cell. The mechanical stress is the main factor to induce muscle damage. Muscle damage cause myocellular protein release into the blood, such as creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (Mb), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Some studies also indicated that intense endurance muscular activity may cause prolific production of free radicals due to large oxygen consumption. Free radicals can damage muscle cell membrane, induces the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Purpose: To investigate the effect a triathlon race on the indices of muscle damage, MDA formation and hematological parameters. Methods: Ten male triathletes (age=27.1±4.1 yrs, height=170.8±5.4 cm, weight=69.1±6.0 kg) were studied before and after the 2001 Uni-President Cup Triathlon in Taiwan. The mean finish time was 2hrs 25±7 min. The blood samples were obtained 12 hrs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (H0), 1 hour (H1), 24 (H24), 72 (H72), and 120 (H120) hours after the race. The blood samples were analysed for CK, Mb, LDH, hematological parameters and MDA concentrations. Values were corrected for the percentage change in plasma volume. Results: The Serum CK increased significantly (p<.05) at H24 and H72, as the serum Mb was significantly higher at H0 and H1 as compared to Pre. Serum LDH was significantly elevated at H0, H1, H24, and H72. The hematological parameters revealed that there is a acute inflammatory response, but no significant change in plasma MDA concentrations was found. Conclusion: A triathlon race may induce acute inflammation and muscle damage, but these indices will return to pre-values at H24 and H72. Compare pre-race with post-race values, no statistical difference in the lipid peroxidation index. Hence, a triathlon race does not lead to oxidative damage, and muscle damage is not due to the lipid peroxidation. In this study, a triathlon race may induce acute physiological stress and muscle damage, but these phenomenons will return to baseline in five days.