Effects of Competitive Triathlon Training on Telomere Length

Telomeres act as a mitotic clock and telomere-related senescence has been linked to age-related physiological decline. There is increasing evidence lifestyle factors can influence telomere length (TL). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of competitive triathlon training on TL. Seven competitive male triathletes and seven recreationally active males participated in the study. Relative TL was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Physiological parameters key to athletic performance such as maximal oxygen intake, lactate threshold, and running economy were also measured. Triathletes had longer telomeres than the recreationally active (1.257 ± 0.028 vs. 1.002 ± 0.014; p < .0001). Positive association was found between TL and maximal oxygen intake, lactate threshold, and running economy (R2 = .677, .683, and .696, respectively). This study indicates that competitive triathlon training buffers against age-related telomere shortening, and there is a correlation between exercise behaviors, higher maximal oxygen intake, and TL.

The John Sutton memorial lecture, 2009. Conductance systems: an integrative approach to the physiology of extreme conditions

This presentation explores the value of mechanical, electrical, and mathematical analogues in understanding and evaluating a variety of closely integrated transport processes in human biology. Particular attention is directed to a major interest of John Sutton: the factors limiting transport of oxygen from the atmosphere to the working muscles when exercising in a variety of hostile environments. In most circumstances, the limiting term in a closely linked chain of conductances seems to be in the blood stream, and its magnitude can be estimated by measurements of maximal oxygen intake. Despite recent criticisms of this index by those who have proposed a feed-forward control of maximal aerobic effort, conductance theory suggests that the main limitation of oxygen transport is normally maximal cardiac output. Therefore, careful laboratory determinations of maximal oxygen intake continue to provide a convenient integrating assessment of an individual’s cardiorespiratory function, with many important applications in sports medicine and exercise science.