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Participation and performance trends in short-, medium, and long-distance duathlon.

PMID 37291186 (2023): pacing, splits — Time-trial performance (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 37291186

Participation and performance trends in short-, medium, and long-distance duathlon.

Scientific reports2023 • DOI 10.1038/s41598-023-36050-2
Evidence C60/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

Participation and performance trends of male and female athletes have been thoroughly analyzed in various endurance sports. (controlled study; elite athletes).

The abstract suggests a trade-off or negative effect affecting Time-trial performance. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Participation and performance trends of male and female athletes have been thoroughly analyzed in various endurance sports.
  • The abstract suggests a trade-off or negative effect affecting Time-trial performance.
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 5 km • 21 km • 10 km • 42 km • 11 km • 14 km.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: pacing, splits.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 5 km • 21 km • 10 km • 42 km • 11 km • 14 km • 60 km • 25 km.
  • Outcomes: Time-trial performance.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (elite athletes) working on pacing.
  • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 5 km • 21 km • 10 km • 42 km • 11 km • 14 km • 60 km • 25 km.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 37291186 (2023) — Scientific reports.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Throughout the years, men were consistently faster than women in all three race legs (Run 1, Bike, and Run 2) in all three distances across all age groups, and women could not reduce the performance gap.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources