UBC Okanagan Study Transforms Inactive Individuals into Triathletes

Participants in a groundbreaking study at UBC Okanagan are transitioning from sedentary lifestyles to completing long-distance triathlons within a year. The research, known as the ULTRA Project, involves 40 healthy but inactive individuals who will undergo a structured training regimen designed to prepare them for a challenging race consisting of a 3.9-kilometre swim, a 180.2-kilometre bike ride, and a 42.2-kilometre run.

One of the study participants, Vicens Paneque, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity. “I wouldn’t say I was a couch potato,” he remarked, “but I’ve certainly never done anything this intense before. It’s changed the way I see my body and what it can do.” The project’s aim is not only to train participants but also to examine the effects of intense training on various aspects of health, including cardiovascular, immune, and metabolic functions.

Scientific Exploration of Endurance Training

According to Dr. Robert Shave, a Professor of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC Okanagan, the study aims to shed light on the physiological and psychological shifts that occur when someone adopts a rigorous training regime. “We know competitive athletes are fitter and healthier than those who do not exercise. But we know surprisingly little about how the body responds to endurance training over a prolonged period,” he explained.

The ULTRA Project is regarded as one of the most ambitious exercise research studies ever conducted at UBC Okanagan. It combines rigorous scientific assessments with the personal experiences of participants. Over the course of the year, participants will meet with the research team six times, undergoing extensive evaluations that include bloodwork, aerobic capacity testing, psychological surveys, body composition scans, and ultrasound imaging of the heart and arteries.

Training is facilitated through a custom mobile app that monitors participants’ heart rate data, and to remain in the study, participants must complete at least 80 percent of the training program, which escalates to a maximum of 17 hours per week.

The Power of Community and Accountability

While the scientific aspects are essential, the project’s human element plays a crucial role in motivating participants. Sophia Van Slyke, an undergraduate Chemistry student and participant, noted the sense of community fostered by the study. “We see each other on the app, or out training on the same routes. There’s this feeling that we’re in it together, even if we’re all at different paces,” she said.

Another participant, Bruce Aitken, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the experience is about more than just completing the race. “It’s not just about crossing the finish line. It’s about committing to something with other people. I’ve met some great friends through this, including Vicens,” he remarked.

The participants have demonstrated remarkable progress throughout the study. Nine months into the program, Van Slyke completed a half-Ironman in Victoria, BC, alongside her father, Stephen. Although an injury prevented her from finishing the full Ironman, she remains optimistic about future races.

Paneque and Aitken successfully completed a full Ironman in Sacramento, California. Paneque shared, “The swim and the bike ride felt great for me, but the run was a cramp battle.” Aitken added humorously, “Unfortunately, Vicens and I didn’t get pictures together at the finish line because my wife basically had to carry me back to the hotel!”

Despite the challenges, the experience has fueled Aitken’s desire to continue training. “I plan to keep training for triathlons and just got my first coach outside the program,” he said.

The ULTRA Project not only transforms participants into triathletes but also contributes valuable insights into how sustained physical training affects overall health, setting a precedent for future research in the field of exercise science.