Triathlon Terms
Aerobic
Aerobic means with oxygen and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's energy production process. Aerobic exercise is moderate in intensity and performed over longer periods of time.
Age Groupers
The term age grouper refers to triathletes in the racing community who do not hold professional or elite status. In race events, age groupers usually compete among racers in their age groups, which are often divided into five-year ranges.
Anaerobic
Anaerobic means without oxygen and refers to the ability of the body to perform at a high intensity where oxygen is in short supply. Anaerobic exercise is done in short duration at a high intensity level.
Aerobar
Aerobars are extensions on the bicycle’s handlebar that allow cyclists to position their body in a more aerodynamic form.
Anti-fog Solution
Anti-fog solutions are designed to prevent goggle lenses from fogging up during the swim portion of a race.
Body Marking
Body marking happens during race check-in. Race number and age are written on an athlete's arms or legs to assist race officials during an event.
Bonk
An athlete who has "bonked" has reached the point where they can no longer sustain their effort. Fatigue has taken over and exhaustion has set in.
Brick
Workouts where a bike ride is immediately followed by a run.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body exceeds the amount of water being taken in. Due to the high intensity of activity performed during a triathlon, risks for dehydration increase. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. Replenishing liquids during the race is key to preventing dehydration.
Disqualification (DQ)
Disqualification is the harshest penalty that can be handed down to a racer. Disqualified racers lose the ability to compete in or win a race due to a violation of the rules.
Drafting
Drafting can occur during the cycling leg of a triathlon. Drafting is when two or more cyclists ride close together to reduce wind resistance. Drafting is usually illegal in non-draft triathlon races.
Draft Zone
Per USAT rules, the draft zone is defined as “…a rectangular area seven meters long and two meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts.”
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are nutrients in the body which are critical for organ functioning. These nutrients include: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and phosphate.
Elite
Elite triathletes are experienced, highly competitive athletes who meet the qualifications for a race's elite or professional field. Elite athletes often have their own start wave during competitions.
Heart Rate Monitor (HRM)
A heart rate monitor is a device that can be used during activity that records/displays your current heart rate. Heart rate monitors are vital to tracking your target heart rate during exercise.
Hydration
Hydration is simply the act of providing adequate water to the body. Hydration is an important element of triathlon racing as well as other endurance sports due to the high intensity of the activity involved.
Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium levels in the blood become too low. In endurance sports, it can occur when athletes drink excessive amounts of water without replacing enough sodium.
World Triathlon
World Triathlon is the international governing body for triathlon and related multisport disciplines. It was founded in 1989 as the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and rebranded as World Triathlon in 2020.
Lactate Threshold (LT)
During exercise, lactic acid is produced by muscles. Lactate threshold is the point at which more lactic acid is produced than the body is able to process. At this point lactic acid begins to build up in the blood stream. Lactate threshold is an important measure for endurance sports and can be greatly increased with training.
Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)
Maximum heart rate is the highest number of times a heart can contract in the span of one minute. It should not be confused with target heart rate, as it is one of the values used to estimate an individual's target heart rate.
Pronation
Pronation is when a person places more of their body weight on the inside part of the foot when walking/running.
Supination
Supination is when a person places more of their body weight on the outside part of the foot when walking/running.
Swim Aids
Swim aids are devices used during swim training to improve strength and form. They include: fins, paddles, kickboards, and pull buoys.
Swim Cap
A swim cap is a latex cap that is worn on the head of swimmers to reduce drag caused by hair. Swim caps are sometimes color coded in order to identify age groups or different starting waves during a triathlon.
Target Heart Rate
Target heart rate is a training range based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate. Athletes use target ranges to manage workout intensity.
Timing Chip
A timing chip is usually attached to a hook-and-loop ankle strap and is used to record athlete times during events.
Transition Area
The transition area is where athletes keep race equipment. Many races use one transition area with bike racks; some point-to-point races use two. After each leg, athletes return to transition to swap equipment and continue onto the next course.
Transition 1 (T1)
T1 is the period between the swim and the bike portions of the triathlon. During this stage, triathletes switch from their swim gear into their cycling gear.
Transition 2 (T2)
T2 is the period between the bike and run portions of the triathlon. During this stage, triathletes switch from their cycling gear into their running gear.
Transition 3 (T3)
The post-race party or activities are sometimes referred to as the third transition. During this stage, triathletes switch from race mode to celebration mode.
Triathlon Suits
Triathlon suits are one- or two-piece garments designed to be worn for the swim, bike, and run. They dry quickly, reduce drag compared with loose clothing, and include light padding for the bike.
USA Triathlon (USAT)
USA Triathlon (USAT) is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon, of which it sanctions more than 2000 races each year. The USAT formed in 1982 when the U.S. Triathlon Association and the American Triathlon Association merged. Original membership was only about 1500. In just 25 years, membership has grown to more than 100,000 making it the largest multisport organization in the world.
VO2 Max
VO2 Max is the measurement of the highest volume of oxygen an individual can utilize during exercise. VO2 Max is often used as a fitness level indicator for endurance athletes. VO2 Max may be used interchangeably with the following terms: maximal oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen uptake, aerobic capacity, and aerobic power.
Wave
A group of triathletes starting a race. Waves are often staggered and organized by age group and sex.
Wetsuit
Wetsuits are suits worn during swimming to keep athletes warm when the water temperature is low. Since wetsuits add buoyancy and can provide an advantage, races have rules for when they are allowed.
IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race series, along with other endurance events. The original Hawaii race helped define long-course triathlon and remains one of the sport's most recognizable events.