USAT Junior Testing & Performance Benchmarks

The USAT Junior Testing & Performance Benchmarks program is designed to achieve 3 key goals:

  • First, create regular (quarterly) sports specific tests used as benchmarks for athletes to gauge their personal progress and isolate areas of weakness to target during their next training cycle;
  • Second, provide comparable data to coaches to facilitate a greater understanding of where their athlete stands both nationally and internationally; and,
  • Third, provide USAT staff with a greater understanding of athlete potential throughout the year, rather than rely solely on race day results in the shortened race season

The tests include a (1) swim, (2) bike and (3) bike/run and have been designed to give accurate information specific to current age related triathlon performance standards. The testing administration protocol is basic and can easily to fit into a weekly training program without excessive fatigue to the athlete.

Recommended Distances for Youth »

Junior testing Protocols and Benchmarks »

Eligibility Criteria for USA Triathlon Junior Elite National Championships »

Triathlon Leader manual for Parents

The Registered Triathlon Leader Manual has been created as a tool and resource for parents, teachers, coaches, athletes and other fitness professionals who work with multisport athletes. The goal is to help parents and professionals lead workouts and skill sessions with young and developing athletes.

The purpose of the Registered Triathlon Leader Manual is to:

  • Increase the level of knowledge and expertise of those who are working with young and/or new multisport athletes.
  • Provide prospective coaches with the background information necessary to prepare for the USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification.
  • Increase the number of athletes participating in the sport of the triathlon, which helps to improve and support the athlete development projects for developing triathletes, and deepens the talent pool for the USA Triathlon National Teams Program and Olympic Team.
  • Increase the number of children and adolescents exposed to the lifetime activities of swimming, biking, running and triathlon. Possible results of this exposure would be an increased likelihood for youth to adopt and healthy lifestyle, decreased likelihood of these youth to be sedentary, overweight, and at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, and other negative health outcomes.
  • Provide teachers, fitness instructors, and youth leaders with adequate information to create a curriculum of instruction for a three-in-one cardiovascular sport or training program.

Please note that the manual comes on a CD.

The Registered Triathlon Leader Manual can be obtained by mailing a request form with a check payable to USAT for $25 to: Loryn Cozzi USA Triathlon National Office 1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 250 Colorado Springs, CO 80907-3425 Or by emailing loryn.cozzi@usatriathlon.org with this order form to be used with a credit card. You can also mail the credit card order form to the address above.