Rowing Performance and Estimated Training Load

Abstract

We related the rowing performance and the associated physiological parameters to the training load as estimated by a questionnaire addressing the mean habitual weekly energy expenditure (MHWEE) of twenty-one international and national level oarsmen. The questionnaire also addressed the energy expenditure during training (EET) sessions classified as low- (EE1), moderate- (EE2), and high-intensity (EE3). To evaluate the physiological capability of the oarsmen, they performed incremental exercise to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (V·O_2max) and the V·O₂ relative to V·O_2max corresponding to the 4 mmol · l^-1 blood lactate concentration (V·O₂4 %). The mean work rate sustained during a 2000-m all-out event on a rowing ergometer was considered as the rowing performance. On average, the rowers spent 16.4 ± 1.0 h · wk^-1 in training with 56 ± 3 % of the time spent on the water. EET represented 43.5 ± 1.7 % of MHWEE. Rowing performance and V·O_2max were both related to MHWEE and EET. Also, rowing performance was related to EE1, EE2, and EE3. In contrast, V·O₂4 % was not related to the estimated energy expenditures. These results suggest that rowing performance and V·O_2max are related to training load while V·O₂4 % was not in the present group of highly trained oarsmen.

Key words

Maximal oxygen uptake - lactate threshold - training intensity

References

• 1 Banister E W, Morton R H, Clarke J R. Clinical dose-response effects of exercise. Steinacker JM, Ward SA The Physiology and Patho-physiology of Exercise Tolerance. New York; Plenum Press 1997: 297-309
• 2 Bergh U, Sjödin B, Forsberg A, Svedenhag J. The relationship between body mass and oxygen uptake during running in humans.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 205-211
• 3 Bergman B C, Wolfel E E, Butterfield G E, Lopaschuk G D, Casazza G A, Horning M A, Brooks G A. Active muscle and whole body lactate kinetics after endurance training in men.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  87 1684-1696
• 4 Berthouze S E, Minaire P, Castells J, Busso T, Vico L, Lacour J R. Relationship between mean habitual daily energy expenditure and maximal oxygen uptake.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1170-1179
• 5 Berthouze S E, Minaire P, Chatard J C, Boutet C, Castells J, Lacour J R. A new tool for evaluating energy expenditure: the “QAPSE” development and validation.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 1405-1414
• 6 Carter H, Jones A M, Doust J H. Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 957-967
• 7 Davis J A. Anaerobic threshold: review of the concept and directions for future research.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985;  17 6-18
• 8 di Prampero P E, Cortili G, Celentano F, Cerretelli P. Physiological aspects of rowing.  J Appl Physiol. 1971;  31 853-857
• 9 Gaskill S E, Rice T, Bouchard C, Gagnon J, Rao D C, Skinner J S, Wilmore J H, Leon A S. Familial resemblance in ventilatory threshold: the HERITAGE family study.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1832-1840
• 10 Geyssant A, Dormois D, Barthelemy J C, Lacour J R. Lactate determination with the analyser L. A. 640: a critical study.  Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1985;  45 145-149
• 11 Hagerman F C. Applied physiology of rowing.  Sports Med. 1984;  1 303-326
• 12 Hagerman F C, Connors M C, Gault J A, Hagerman G R, Polinski W J. Energy expenditure during simulated rowing.  J Appl Physiol. 1978;  45 87-93
• 13 Hermansen L. Lactate production during exercise. Pernow B, Saltin B Muscle Metabolism during Exercise. New York; Plenum Press 1971: 404-407
• 14 Hurley B F, Hagberg J M, Allen W K, Seals D R, Young J C, Cuddihee R W, Holloszy J O. Effect of training on blood lactate levels during submaximal exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1984;  56 1260-1264
• 15 Jacobs I. Blood lactate, implications for training and sports performance.  Sports Med. 1986;  3 10-25
• 16 Jensen K, Nilsen T S, Smith M. Analysis of the Italian national training program for rowing.  FISA Coach. 1990;  1 1-5
• 17 Jensen K, Johensen L, Secher N H. Influence of body mass on maximal oxygen uptake: effect of sample size.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;  84 201-205
• 18 Körner T, Schwanitz P. Rudern (Rowing). Berlin; Sportverlag 1985
• 19 MacRae H SH, Dennis S C, Bosch A N, Noakes T D. Effects of training on lactate production and removal during progressive exercise in humans.  J Appl Physiol. 1992;  72 1649-1656
• 20 Mahler D A, Parker H W, Andresen D C. Physiologic changes in rowing performance associated with training in collegiate women rowers.  Int J Sports Med. 1985;  6 229-233
• 21 Messonnier L, Bourdin M, Bret C, Lacour J R. Influence de la catégorie d'âge sur les facteurs de la performance à l'ergomètre aviron chez des rameurs de haut-niveau.  Sci Mot. 1999;  37 26-32
• 22 Messonnier L, Freund H, Féasson L, Prieur F, Castells J, Denis C, Linossier M T, Geyssant A, Lacour J R. Blood lactate exchange and removal abilities after relative high intensity exercise: effects of training in normoxia and hypoxia.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;  84 403-412
• 23 Secher N H. Physiological and biomechanical aspects of rowing.  Sports Med. 1993;  15 24-42
• 24 Secher N H, Vaage O, Jackson R C. Rowing performance and maximal aerobic power of oarsmen.  Scand J Sports Sci. 1982;  4 9-11
• 25 Secher N H, Vaage O, Jensen K, Jackson R C. Maximal aerobic power in oarsmen.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1983;  51 155-162
• 26 Shephard R. Science and medicine of rowing: a review.  J Sports Sci. 1998;  16 603-620
• 27 Steinacker J M. Physiological aspects of training in rowing.  Int J Sports Med. 1993;  14 3-10
• 28 Steinacker J M, Lormes W, Lehmann M, Altenburg D. Training of rowers before world championships.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 1158-1163
• 29 Vermulst L JM, Vermoorn C, Boelensquist A M, Koppeschaar H PF, Erich W BM, Thijssen J HH, de Vries W R. Analysis of seasonal training volume and working capacity in elite female rowers.  Int J Sports Med. 1991;  16 567-572