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Study note

Women in the triathlon-the differences between female and male triathletes: a narrative review.

PMID 40546782 (2025): pacing — Time-trial performance, Performance in heat, Recovery speed (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 23, 2026

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Study note • PMID 40546782

Women in the triathlon-the differences between female and male triathletes: a narrative review.

Frontiers in sports and active living • 2025 • DOI 10.3389/fspor.2025.1567676
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How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • • Design signal: narrative review.
  • • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

INTRODUCTION: Triathlon events have gained popularity in recent years. (narrative review; triathletes).

In this narrative review, the abstract reports associations involving Time-trial performance, Recovery speed (not necessarily causation). Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • • Study question: INTRODUCTION: Triathlon events have gained popularity in recent years.
  • • In this narrative review, the abstract reports associations involving Time-trial performance, Recovery speed (not necessarily causation).
  • • Population: triathletes.
  • • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • • Intervention/exposure: pacing.
  • • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • • Outcomes: Time-trial performance, Performance in heat, Recovery speed.
  • • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • • Athletes similar to the study population (triathletes) working on pacing.
  • • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance, Performance in heat, Recovery speed with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • • 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: narrative review.
  • • Population: triathletes.
  • • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Performance in heat, Recovery speed.
  • • Source: PubMed PMID 40546782 (2025) — Frontiers in sports and active living.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

“The results showed that the participation of female triathletes, especially female master triathletes increased over time.”

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

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
  • • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Female athletes need evidence that actually represents them

This narrative review examined 147 papers on participation, physiology, age, pacing, motivation and performance differences between women and men across triathlon distances. It documents growing female participation while identifying major gaps around menstrual health, hormones, pregnancy and post-partum performance.

Use population averages as context, not a reason to impose sex-based pace or training limits on an individual. Programme from the athlete's history and response; track symptoms and recovery; and involve an appropriately qualified clinician when menstrual health, pregnancy, iron status or other medical concerns affect training.

The review combines heterogeneous studies and reports substantial under-representation, so many conclusions remain incomplete. It is not a personalised medical protocol. Read the review boundaries in the PubMed record.

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Sources