Stress of triathletes in trainning for the Ironman

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the stress levels on triathletes during the training to the Ironman Race and its main symptoms. 6 athletes were studied which 4 were male and 2 were female, aging between 25 and 35 years old. The instrument used was the LIPP Stress Inventory for Adults (2005a). The Inventory was applied at the end of each month of training, totalizing 5 applications in a period of 6 months. The results were that the athletes manifested higher levels of psychological stress than physical stress during the training period. The symptoms that were more experienced by the athletes were constant physical waste, insomnia, excess of gas, to think constantly in only one subject and excessive fatigue. We conclude that the athletes experienced a physical adaptation better than the mental adaptation, and therefore, felt more psychological than physical stress during training for the Ironman Race. The period that stress manifested more intensely was between the third and fourth months.