Triathlons Research Paper

Steven Vera
Mr. Cook
English 4
26 April 2013
Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Triathlons In the world today, there are many ways one chooses to stay healthy. “People eat various diets intended to increase longevity, prevent particular disease, lose weight or mange a medical condition” (Traister). Diet systems are looked at today to help with many health issues, but the truth is that these are just empty promises. At best they will help in the short term if one stays committed to the diet program. Another health trend that seems to be looked at as an option in this generation is extreme workouts. Systems like the P90X or Insanity are bringing the workouts usually done in the gym or outdoors into homes in short routines for
I dress in very comfortable clothes and eat a high protein breakfast. I load up my truck with bikes and I head down to the course. Once I get there I go straight to the registration to pick up my bib and gps chip. I then set up my bike and other gear in the transition area. I then do a 10 minute warm up about 20 minutes before the start of the first event” (De La Rosa). This is the process that most triathletes go through when preparing for a triathlon. Triathlons usually start with the swim, transition into the biking, and then finish with the running. “The swim start is the most chaotic and unpredictable aspect of the whole race. After the starter pistol fires, everyone piles into the water simultaneously, jockeying for position” (Triathlon). This is pretty much the start of every triathlon event. Once the competitors spread out in the water, one can go at his or her own pace. The swimming portion then leads into the first transition stage of the triathlon. Here, triathletes must locate their bike wherever they had placed it before the start of the triathlon. “This is more critical of the two transition areas, as there is often more to do” (Triathlon). One must change into a biking uniform, put their socks and shoes on, and do whatever else before they take off on the biking portion of the triathlon. This part of the triathlon is straight forward enough and happens
A study from the University of Virginia found that men between 71 and 93 who walked at least a ¼ mile daily were 50 percent less likely to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer 's disease” (Roe).
If this is the case, then realistically triathlon training will greatly help memory and will decrease your chances of getting dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later on in life. Especially since the workout routine is much more than just 2.5 miles daily, it will benefit one’s mental health in the long run. This is a huge benefit for people who are concerned about getting dementia or Alzheimer’s disease but do not know exactly how to prevent it. Another beneficial factor that comes from the rigorous exercising in order to get in shape for a triathlon is the boost of energy. Exercising helps improve muscle strength and boost endurance by delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues (Mayo). With improved muscle strength and boost of endurance, one’s heart and lungs will work more efficiently which results in more energy throughout the day. So by training for a triathlon, which requires weekly routine of exercises, one gains many mental health benefits. It allows triathletes to blow off steam and relieve stress, improve cognitive functions which can reduce risk of getting