Participants Transform from Sedentary to Triathletes in One Year

A groundbreaking study at UBC Okanagan is transforming 40 sedentary individuals into long-distance triathletes over the course of one year. The ULTRA Project aims to assess the physiological and psychological changes that occur when participants train for a triathlon consisting of a 3.9-kilometre swim, a 180.2-kilometre bike ride, and a 42.2-kilometre run.

Participants like Vicens Paneque, a former UBC student, describe the experience as life-changing. “I wouldn’t say I was a couch potato,” Paneque reflects, “but I’ve certainly never done anything this intense before.” His goal, along with others, is to complete the race, but the research team is investigating much more.

Understanding the Impact of Training

The project, which commenced in November 2024 and will conclude in November 2025, is particularly focused on how a structured training plan affects cardiovascular, immune, and metabolic functions. According to Dr. Robert Shave, a Professor of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC Okanagan, the study will provide valuable insights into the body’s response to prolonged endurance training. “We know competitive athletes are fitter and healthier, but we know surprisingly little about how the body actually responds to endurance training over a prolonged period,” he states.

Participants undergo comprehensive assessments at various points throughout the year. These include bloodwork, aerobic capacity testing, psychological surveys, body composition scans, and ultrasound imaging of the heart and arteries. Training plans are delivered through a custom app, and participants are required to complete at least 80 percent of the training program, which can ramp up to as much as 17 hours per week.

Fostering Community and Accountability

While the scientific framework of the ULTRA Project is robust, it is the human connections formed during the study that participants highlight as a key motivator. Sophia Van Slyke, another participant and undergraduate Chemistry student, shares, “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.”

Participant Bruce Aitken, also a UBC alumnus, echoes this sentiment. “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.” The shared experience of training has created a supportive community among participants, enhancing their motivation.

By the nine-month mark of the study, the participants had shown significant progress. Van Slyke successfully completed a half-Ironman in Victoria, British Columbia, alongside her father, Stephen Van Slyke. Although an injury prevented her from finishing the full Ironman as planned, she remains optimistic about future races.

Paneque and Aitken both completed a full Ironman in Sacramento, California, after a year of rigorous training. Paneque described the experience: “The swim and the bike ride felt great for me, but the run was a cramp battle.” Aitken humorously added, “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, Aitken is inspired to continue his training. “I plan to keep training for triathlon and just got my first coach outside the program,” he confirmed.

The ULTRA Project exemplifies how structured training and community support can transform lives, proving that with commitment and the right resources, significant physical and psychological changes are achievable within a year.