Effects of Drag Factor on Physiological Aspects of Rowing

Abstract

This study examined the effects of two resistances, or “drag factors” on selected physiological variables during incremental progressive rowing tests (seven 3-min stages) on a Concept2® ergometer. Subjects were seven male and seven female university club rowers. Their mean age, body mass and height were 19.6 ± 1.5 years, 72.7 ± 8.0 kg, and 172.2 ± 7.5 cm, respectively. Progressive tests were conducted using drag factors 100 (D₁₀₀) and 150 (D₁₅₀) before the spring racing season. Values were determined for the following physiological variables: ventilation (V·_E), oxygen uptake (V·O₂), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLC), respiratory exchange ratio (R) and rowing economy (W/V·O₂). Comparisons across all six submaximal stages showed no significant difference between D₁₀₀ and D₁₅₀ for any of the variables measured (p > .05). Maximal V·_Emax was significantly greater at D₁₀₀ than D₁₅₀ (p < .02). Maximal V·O₂, HR, BLC, R, stroke rate (SR) and W/V·O₂ were greater at D₁₀₀ than at D₁₅₀, though not significantly so. The mean D₁₀₀ - D₁₅₀ differences in V·_E and SR for each stage were significantly correlated (r = 0.76, p < .01), suggesting drag factor may affect V·_E via SR.

Key words

exercise testing - power - resistance - ergometry - lactate - ventilation

References

• 1 Boyas S, Nordez A, Cornu C, Guével A. Power responses of a rowing ergometer: mechanical sensors vs. Concept2® measurement system.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  27 830-833
• 2 Cosgrove M J, Wilson J, Watt D, Grant S F. The relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m ergometer test.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 845-852
• 3 Forsyth J J, Reilly T. Circadian rhythms in blood lactate concentration during incremental ergometer rowing.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;  92 69-74
• 4 Hagerman F C. Applied physiology of rowing.  Sports Med. 1984;  1 303-326
• 5 Hahn A, Bourdon P, Tanner R. Protocols for the physiological assessment of rowers. Gore CJ Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 2000: 317-318
• 6 Hansen J, Sander M, Thomas G D. Metabolic modulation of sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising skeletal muscle.  Acta Physiol Scand. 2000;  168 489-503
• 7 Ingham S A, Whyte G P, Jones K, Nevill A M. Determinants of 2000 m rowing ergometer performance in elite rowers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  88 243-246
• 8 Jensen R L, Katch F I. A new approach to rowing ergometry: establishing exercise intensity relative to maximum force output.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  62 44-48
• 9 Johnson E A. Pre-cooling during steady-state rowing decreases physiological strain and enhances self-paced rowing performance in elite rowers. MS Thesis. <https://dspace.library.uvic.ca:8443/bitstream/1828/55/1/Ejohnsonthesis.pdf>. Victoria; University of Victoria, BC 2005 35: 114
• 11 Mahler D A, Hunter B, Lentine T, Ward J. Locomotor-respiratory coupling develops in novice female rowers with training.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 1362-1366
• 12 Mahler D A, Shuhart C R, Brew E, Stukel T A. Ventilatory responses and entrainment of breathing during rowing.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 186-193
• 10 Mandic S, Quinney H A, Bell G J. Modification of the Wingate anaerobic power test for rowing: optimization of the resistance setting.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 409-414
• 13 Mavrommataki E, Bogdanis G C, Kaloupsis S, Maridaki M. Recovery of power output and heart rate kinetics during repeated bouts of rowing exercise with different rest intervals.  J Sports Sci Med. 2006;  5 155-122
• 14 McNeely E. Training for Rowing. Ottawa; Sport Performance Institute 2000: 59-64
• 15 O'Neill T, Skelton A. Indoor Rowing Training Guide. Nottingham, UK; Concept2 Ltd 2004 Appendix vii-ix
• 16 Perkins C D, Pivarnik J M. Physiological profiles and performance predictors of a women's NCAA rowing team.  J Strength Cond Res. 2003;  17 173-176
• 17 Reid D A, McNair P J. Factors contributing to low back pain in rowers.  Br J Sports Med. 2000;  34 321-322
• 18 Shephard R J. Science and medicine of rowing: a review.  J Sports Sci. 1998;  16 603-620
• 19 Steinacker J M, Both M, Whipp B J. Pulmonary mechanics and entrainment of respiration and stroke rate during rowing.  Int J Sports Med. 1993;  14 S15-S19
• 21 Teitz C C, O'Kane J, Lind B K, Hannafin J A. Back pain in intercollegiate rowers.  Am J Sports Med. 2002;  30 674-679
• 20 Weltman A. The Blood Lactate Response to Exercise. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1995 3: 34-41
• 22 Womack C J, Davis S E, Wood C M, Sauer K, Alvarez J, Weltman A, Gaesser G. Effects of training on physiological correlates of rowing ergometry performance.  J Strength Cond Res. 1996;  10 234-238