Allowing female triathletes with testosterone levels in the male range (as a result of rare inborn conditions) to compete against women with normal levels has caused international controversy.
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In the first study of its kind, scientists investigated just how much an increased testosterone levels impacted athletic performance. They randomly assigned 48 physically active and healthy 18-35-year-old old women to 10 weeks of daily treatment with either 10mg of testosterone cream or 10mg of an inactive (placebo) substance. Hormone levels and body composition were measured at the beginning and end of the 10-week trial period, along with aerobic performance, which involved measuring how long the women could run on a treadmill before reaching the point of exhaustion.
In the group of women that were given the testosterone cream, testosterone levels rose from 0.9nmol/litre of blood to 4.3nmol/l. This had the effect of increasing their running time to exhaustion by a significant by 21.17secs (8.5%). Their lean muscle mass increased from 135g to 923g overall; and in their legs 91g to 398g.
There were no significant changes between the two groups on any of the anaerobic performance measures. Nor were there any changes in weight between the two groups at the end of the 10-week trial period.
“Our results are therefore of great importance for the ongoing discussion of whether it’s fair to allow athletes with naturally high testosterone to compete in the female category without reducing their hormonal concentration to the female range,” the scientists conclude.
The prevalence of elite female athletes with conditions that cause women to have male levels of testosterone is thought to be around 140 times higher than in the general population. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has stipulated that these athletes must lower testosterone levels to below 5nmol/l of blood to be eligible to compete at international level in middle-distance races (400m to 1-mile). This policy has been widely criticised and legally challenged.
The researchers acknowledge that their study didn’t include elite athletes, was relatively small, and that the trial period lasted only 10 weeks.
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The paper was published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Not content with hogging our TV screens in September in Channel 4’s Sink or Swim, Huub kept the exposure coming this week with the launch of two key new products at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
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The Agilis swimskin was used by Alistair Brownlee for his maiden 3.8km Kona swim leg, while the Anemoi + tri-suit seen here was donned by David McNamee while racing.
After years of R&D, the original Anemoi was created by Huub and aerodynamicist Dan Bigham (with input from McNamee) and was labelled a landmark tri-suit by our testers on release in 2017 due to its aerodynamics and comfort, and the new suit has a number of upgrades.
We’ve been using a sample out in Kona and the UK for a number of weeks and the key changes are the fully bonded seams, which are said to save an extra four watts in aerodynamic tests conducted at the Derby Arena velodrome and the Vorteq cycling-specific wind tunnel in Northampton.
There’s also the new patent-pending Neoprene Trip Technology that aims to further improve aerodynamics, while further upgrades include an Arms Neutral position to limit restriction on the swim leg and a little longer zip than the original Anemoi.
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We’ll be testing in issue 372 of 220, out on 28 November.
TORQ says: “The new TORQ Brexit Bar contains 52% crispy leaves and 48% succulent remainsins. Formulated by TORQ’s Performance Nutrition team to give the UK population the energy they need to cope with the stresses and strains of the Brexit process. These bars can be purchased by our European friends too, as long as we are able to ship them before the 31st October, or they might get held up in customs.
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The ‘Organic Hellfire & Brimstone’ flavour and ‘Extra Messy’ formulation is bittersweet and complex – and we’ve almost finalised the recipe, we just need to get it signed off by the TORQ Brexit Committee. We’re taking pre-orders now and we might deliver before 31st October, or we might not ever deliver at all, we’re not quite sure at the moment!”
The idea of popping a few painkillers before an Ironman is becoming commonplace. One study showed that as many as 60% of triathletes were taking medication such as Ibuprofen before or during races, and Ironman recently announced Aleve – “the pain relief brand trusted by millions” – as a new sponsor for its 2019 world championship in Hawaii on 12 October.
The partnership would imply there’s little risk to using artificial assistance to help see you through what is, after all, billed as the hardest one-day event on the planet. If it reduces discomfort and is promoted by the biggest brand in the sport, what could possibly be amiss?
Plenty, according to the backlash from both medical professionals, and professional and amateur athletes, who believe the drugs’ side effects – to fatal levels in extremis – are not being disclosed to an unwitting endurance sport community.
“There is a high risk of adverse effects to multiple organ systems including gastro-intestinal, kidney and cardiovascular,” says Craig Rosenbloom, a sports and exercise medicine doctor, who has conducted a review into the research on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in relation to endurance events. “Fatal effects include hyponatraemia (low salt levels in the blood), kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack.”
Britain’s multiple Ironman champion Lucy Gossage underlined that sentiment on Twitter: “I think it’s ludicrous to have a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sponsoring Ironman. The message this is sending out is wrong on so many levels.”
Aleve is the brand name for naproxen, an NSAID sold over-the-counter in the USA, but mainly available on prescription in the UK. Rosenbloom cautions that its purported benefits of pain prevention and injury treatment are not backed up by evidence, and stresses that Aleve’s half-life can be up to 17 hours – compared to 2hrs for Ibuprofen – thereby extending its health risk potential.
Ironically, this “last all day” message is billed as a benefit by Lisa Tecklenburg of Bayer, the global drug company that produces Aleve. “When people hear ‘Ironman,’ they know that it stands for overcoming obstacles to reach the pinnacle of performance,” Tecklenburg says. “Aches and pains can be obstacles as well.”
And herein lies the nub of the issue. Aches and pains resulting from a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run, are a normal reaction from a stressed body due to exercise.
They are our cue for when to push on and when to ease back and allow for adaptation. Viewing them as obstacles to be removed by numbing the discomfort shows no sense of listening to our bodies’ warning signs, so it’s little wonder trying this shortcut has health consequences. Some ultra events already ban NSAIDs due to the health risks, and although largely unenforceable, it at least sends out the right message.
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In research for this column, I’ve been contacted by those who ended up in hospital with the onset of renal failure after taking tablets during an ultra run. None of this seems to shift Ironman. “Athletes need safe and effective solutions that allow them to address the muscle aches and joint pain that could hold them back from being their best,” says Matthieu van Veen, Ironman’s chief revenue officer. “This is why the collaboration with Aleve for the Ironman World Championship is such a perfect match.” Ironman was contacted for a response to this column.
Top tri coach Andy Bullock shares his top tips for off-season training, and says now’s the time to maximise recovery.
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220: Can you share your top advice for the off-season?
Andy: Maximise recovery. Very little in nature flourishes all year round and this is certainly true for athletes.
Take your time to relax and let your body unwind from a hard season of racing. Make sure that when you get back to training you do so gradually, incorporating easy sessions and a good recovery routine.
What are your favourite swimming drills?
My favourite drills fit into two areas. The first is to improve body position by doing drills such as kicking on your side and six kick, one stroke, six kick (6-1-6).
The second is to improve the feeling of catch and propulsion through drills such as sculling.
What do prioritise for bike training?
Along with working on an aerobic base through long and sociable steady rides, it’s good to build strength through the winter.
This can be done by increasing the number of hills that you ride up or if you don’t have too many hills, spend a bit more time in the big ring pushing a big gear.
If you do ride up hills, remember to work your descending skills on the way back down too!
How do your running sessions change in winter?
Run sessions can move to spend a little more time working on a weakness, be it technique, strength, endurance or speed.
Running hills is again useful here as they will help you develop a strong technique (focus on running tall with high hips) and also give you a good cardiovascular workout.
For the remainder of the sessions, working at a steady effort to improve aerobic base is good.
How do you change your approach to nutrition?
Remember that everything is about balance and that the off-season coincides with Christmas, which can be a time to relax a little.
Away from this you might want to consider working on getting into good nutritional habits such as reducing the amount of processed sugars in your diet.
Also, make sure your post-training recovery nutrition is optimised, using something like milk or a recovery drink.
Is there any winter-specific training gear you cannot do without?
Warm clothing is a must for the UK winter; a warm body functions much better than a cold one!
On the bike gloves, waterproof overshoes and something to keep your ears warm is a very good start, along with a good windproof jacket.
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For run sessions some good leggings and a base layer that will help keep your upper body warm.
In recognition of their achievements over the last decade or so Alistair and Jonny Brownlee have been honoured with an award by Leeds Beckett University. Since 1982, the university has each year recognised individuals who have excelled in their chosen field or made a significant contribution to public life with an honorary award.
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Peter Mackreth, Dean of the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett, said: “Alistair and Jonny are world class athletes who have taken the triathlon to new levels.
“They have a long-established relationship with Leeds Beckett University, working with our coaches and researchers, who themselves are leaders in their fields on an international stage.
“We are delighted they have been able to join us today to receive their Sport Science Honorary Doctorates and for us to recognise their incredible achievements.”
Alistair said: “It’s very special to be here, and we both feel very lucky to have had a long relationship with the university and staff.
“I actually first ran here on a primary school sports day. When I was 14, I was told by a friend to turn up to the track to meet a coach to help me run faster.
“On that night I met Malcolm Brown MBE (former Director of Sport at Leeds Beckett) and that was the start of a 15-year coaching relationship and that has had a massive impact on my career.
“There were four of us training at the time – now there are hundreds of students training. It’s been amazing for me and amazing to watch the progression of triathlon in the city.”
Since their first Olympic success, the pair have remained based in Leeds, where they are now coached by Ian Mitchell, who also works in Leeds Beckett’s Sport & Active Lifestyles. They train regularly at the Leeds Triathlon Centre, whose main partners include Leeds Beckett.
Jonny said: “The Leeds Triathlon Centre is very important to the future development of the triathletes across Leeds. It’s a great place to train with some great coaches there. There are lots of up-and-coming triathletes at the centre. The talent in the British programme and in Leeds is actually incredible.”
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Honorary Doctorates at Leeds Beckett are conferred on individuals whose achievements reflect the values of the university or on individuals who have made a positive impact on Leeds or on the region.
On 29 November triathlon retailers all over the country will be slashing their prices and offering deals on all tri-related kit, and we will be collecting the best of the best here.
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A US shopping phenomenon that made its way across the pond a few years ago, Black Friday is traditionally the first Friday after Thanksgiving and signals the start of the festive season.
2019 BLACK FRIDAY DEALS SO FAR
Get 20% off Precision Hydration‘s entire range of electrolyte supplements – used by elite triathletes including Sarah Crowley, Emma Pallant, Michelle Dillon, Claire Cashmore, Sarah Lewis, Sam Pictor and Emma Jeffcoat – using the code 220FRIDAY at precisionhydration.com from Black Friday until midnight on “Cyber Monday”.
Need some new cycling kit? www.bikeinn.com have got some great deals including up to 50% off saddles and up to 34% off groupsets.
Want some new run kit for winter training? Runner’s Need have got up to 40% off Hoka One One and Adidas footwear, 30% off Aftershokz headphones as well as loads of other great deals
Proviz has 20% off all products
Leisure Lakes Bikes have some great deals on bikes, while stocks last, including 44% off the 2017 Cervelo R3 Ultegra Disc Road Bike 2017, down from £4,199 to £2,345
The deals at Wiggle have started and include;
Up to 50% off wetsuits
42% off Garmin Forerunner 735XT GPS Watch HRM Bundle
31% off Oakley Radar EV Path Matte Black Prizm Road Sunglasses
25% off Garmin Edge 520 Plus GPS Cycle Computer,
21% off PowerTap Power Pedals P2
While Chain Reaction’s deals include;
42% off Prime RR-50 SE Carbon Clincher Wheelset
37% off Shimano 105 R7020 Disc Groupset
28% off X-Tools Home Mechanic Prep Stand (inc Mat)
Bike deals from Rutland Cycles include;
10% off 2019 bikes
Up to 35% off Giant bikes
Up to 43% off Lazer road helmets
Up to 40% off turbo trainers
Halfords have also started with deals including;
£200 off Garmin Edge 820 GPS Bike Computer Bundle
£60 off the Tacx Flow T2240 Interactive Turbo Trainer
Merlin Cycling has got up to a staggering 57% off wheels, and up to 53% off bikes (including 50% off the Colnago Concept Ultegra R8000 Aero Road Bike – Ex-Display (down from £4,999 to £2,499) as well as plenty of other deals across its site
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We will be updating this list, as we hear of deals, throughout the lead up and during the day itself so bookmark this page!
Rio 2016 Olympic medallists Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee and Vicky Holland remain on the podium programme and are joined by world medallists Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown.
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The Paratriathlon World Class Programme remains unchanged at the podium level but World Champion Hannah Moore (PTS4) and Michael Taylor (PTS4) have been included at podium potential level after demonstrating their competitiveness with their respective Paralympic classifications.
Athletes selected on to the programmes are also able to access to world-class sports science and medicine services, and support from British Triathlon’s leading performance team.
British Triathlon Performance Director, Mike Cavendish, said: “It’s great to announce such strong athletes on to the triathlon and paratriathlon world class programmes for 2020.
“The past 12 months have been great for the sport; we have seen strong results from the Triathlon and Paratriathlon programmes and we know where we can improve ahead of next year’s Games.”
He concluded: “It’s important we all recognise UK Sport and the National Lottery as we strive towards success in Tokyo 2020. It’s the 25th anniversary of National Lottery and the impact it’s made to Olympic and Paralympic sport has been immeasurable.”
The 2020 UK Sport Lottery Funded World Class Performance Programme include:
Triathlon:
Podium:
Alistair Brownlee, 31, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Jonny Brownlee, 29, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Vicky Holland, 33, from Gloucester, trains Bath
Jess Learmonth, 31, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Non Stanford, 30, from Swansea, training base TBC
Jodie Stimpson, 30, from Oldbury, trains Loughborough
Georgia Taylor-Brown, 25, from Manchester, trains Leeds
Alex Yee, 20, from London, trains Leeds
Podium Potential:
Marc Austin, 24, from Glasgow, trains Glasgow
Gordon Benson, 24, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Tom Bishop, 27, from Derby, trains Leeds
Sam Dickinson, 21, from York, trains Leeds
Ben Dijkstra, 20, from Loughborough, trains Loughborough
Grant Sheldon, 24, from Hamilton, trains Stirling
Sophie Coldwell, 23, from Nottingham, trains Loughborough
Olivia Mathias, 20, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, trains Loughborough
Sian Rainsley, 21, from Coventry, trains Leeds
Kate Waugh, 19, from Gateshead, trains Leeds
Paratriathlon:
Podium:
Fran Brown, 35, from London, trains London
Claire Cashmore, 31, from Kidderminster, trains London
Dave Ellis, 33, from Heanor, train Loughborough
Melissa Reid, 29, from Truro, trains Cornwall
Alison Peasgood, 32, from Dunfermline, trains Stirling
George Peasgood, 24, from Saffron Walden, trains Loughborough
Lauren Steadman, 26, from Peterborough, trains Portsmouth/Lanzarote
Joe Townsend, 31, from Eastbourne, trains Eastbourne
Podium Potential:
Steven Crowley, 42, from Exeter, trains Exeter
Jade Jones-Hall, 23, from Middlesbrough, trains Leeds
Hannah Moore, 23, from Stalbridge, trains Loughborough
Michael Taylor, 23, from Cornwall, trains Loughborough
Paratriathlon Guides:
Rosie Lindsay, 22, trains Loughborough
Jordan Hull, 22, trains Loughborough
Nikki Bartlett, 32, trains Loughborough
Luke Pollard, 28, RAF – trains Loughborough
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To find out more about each athlete, view their profile on the British Triathlon website here:https://www.britishtriathlon.org/gb-teams/elite-team/athletes
For a period Alistair was on Tim Don’s Ironman world record pace, but with discretion being the better part of valour, he cooled his jets and concentrated on getting safely across the line and grabbing his Kona qualification. Alistair set a new time of 7:45:20, lowering the old mark by more than six minutes.
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“I woke up the day after Kona and I wanted to do another Ironman, so I had two goals coming here. The first was to get around an IRONMAN without capitulating and I was pretty close, so I am happy with that. The second was to qualify for Kona and I have done that, so I am chuffed.”
“This event is fantastic, the sea is beautiful out there and I stood on the beach this morning and it was so calm and the water was gorgeous. The course is beautiful, flat and well organised and well supported. Right out there in the middle of the ‘outback’ there were tri clubs set up and cheering us on.”
“Having Sam Appleton and Clayton Fettell to swim was perfect and I said ‘Let’s get out on the bike and get rolling’. We did that and Sam rode really well, I was pretty impressed with him. He was riding quick.”
“On the run I wanted a bit of space and I didn’t want to get to caught on running to a pace. I just wanted to run to what I kind of felt was comfortable. The first few kms I didn’t feel great but for 20km after that I got into a really nice rhythm. I thought ‘I am flying here’, so I checked myself a little bit and thought ‘No, no, don’t get carried away, you want to finish this and don’t want to be walking the last 10km’. I pulled it back a little bit and it was good.”
Alistair was very happy with his race and his first trip to the West but he thinks there is still room for improvement and more time to be gained on the quick Busselton course.
“It was quite windy today and I honestly think that if it wasn’t so windy, there is five more minutes in the bike there easy. No doubt about it. Five minutes on the bike and run a bit quicker, and this course could be really quick.”
“I have never been to Western Australia before. I had been to the east coast a lot over the years and I came because I thought it was a race that would fit in and I hoped it wouldn’t be too bad coming from the UK with a direct flight. I just wanted to get the job done but I have really enjoyed it. Busselton has a very different vibe to the other part of Australia. It is really relaxed and the people are nice, chilled out and the countryside is beautiful. I have really enjoyed being here and I would like to come again.”
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“I have a few days before I go home so I will be exploring the area and I am going to Margaret River and drink red wine and eat some steak. I go to Bahrain next weekend but I won’t be racing, and then it is home for Christmas. When the new year rolls around I will focus on trying to race the World Series as well as I can, with an eye on Tokyo,” he said.
Could Ali Brownlee win Olympic gold and Kona in 2020?
Brownlee brothers awarded honorary doctorates
After his triumphant third victory at Ironman Hawaii in October, triathlon legend Jan Frodeno has announced he will return to Challenge Roth on 5 July 2020.
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Jan Frodeno last raced Roth in 2016, when he not only convincingly won the race, but also set a new Iron-distance world record time of 7:35:39 which remains unbeaten.
“There’s no race like Roth anywhere else in the world, Frodeno says. “The great backdrop with hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic fans, the over 35-year history of this legendary race, all of this completely thrills me. But above all, I assume that there will once again be a very strong field at DATEV Challenge Roth. I just find it exciting to measure myself against the best in the world. I need the challenge.”
Organiser Felix Walchshöfer said: “We have worked a lot with Jan Frodeno since 2016, and I am proud and delighted that he decided to race again at DATEV Challenge Roth. I know his need to duel with the world’s best triathletes and I am sure we can offer him this world-class field in 2020.
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“We will announce our pro field in a few weeks. There will be some surprises. But first of all I’m really happy about Jan’s commitment and his passionate statement for Roth. For me this really is the best Christmas present!”