Triathlon Assessment Package

Our services are specifically tailored to provide support for athletes of all levels, from beginners to elite performers. Our expert team offer in-depth testing to help you personalise and make the most of your training. 

Our Triathlon package combines the most relevant cycling and running physiological tests to provide you with all the tools and insight you need to maximise your own performance. Results are used to identify specific training zones, calculate performance predictors, provide insights into your strengths and weaknesses and identify sessions you can use to improve performance.

What's involved?

This package includes the following battery of tests which can be completed on the same or separate days. Testing on the same day allows us to examine the effect of cycling fatigue on running performance and can be used to accurately examine appropriate race pace. Testing on sperate days allows us to more effectively determine current fitness and set accurate training zones.

Cycling

• A sub-maximal incremental step protocol where the required power output is gradually increased in 3 minute stages. Capillary blood samples, heart rate, RPE and breath-by-breath gas analysis will be collected after each stage. This allows the following measures to be calculated:
  • LT1 (lactate threshold) and LT2 (lactate turnpoint). Both critical for understanding current performance and calculating effective training zones
  • Cycling efficiency and FatMax / substrate utilisation. This is vital when it comes to calculating fuel use for longer training and events
• A maximal ramp test where the required power output is increased every 2 – 3 seconds until you reach maximum effort. Capillary blood samples, heart rate, RPE and breath-by-breath gas analysis will be collected throughout the test. This allows the following measures to be calculated:
  • VO₂ max /peak
  • Measures of critical power (a more accurate FTP) and anaerobic work capacity (the battery of energy above critical power)
• Rest

Running

• A sub-maximal incremental step test on the treadmill where running velocity is increased from low intensity at 3 minute intervals. Following each stage, capillary blood samples, heart rate and RPE will be measured with breath-by-breath gas analysis also being undertaken. This allows the following measures to be calculated:
  • LT1 (lactate threshold) and LT2 (lactate turnpoint). Both critical for understanding current performance and calculating effective training zones
• A maximal ramp test where the intensity (gradient / velocity) will be increased every minute until you reach maximum effort. Again, measures of HR, RPE, blood lactate will be collected alongside gas analysis. This allows the following measures to be calculated:
  • VO₂ max /peak
  • Running economy is a key aspect of longer duration endurance performance. Economy is the VO₂ required to run at sub-maximal speeds. It can be used to predict race performance

Cost: £240

If you would like to book this package please contact the Human Performance Unit at hpu@derby.ac.uk.