Polarized (POL) training intensity distribution (TID) emphasizes high-volume low-intensity exercise in zone (Z)1 (< first lactate threshold) with a greater proportion of high-intensity Z3 (>second lactate threshold) compared to Z2 (between first and second lactate threshold). In highly trained rowers there is a lack of prospective controlled evidence whether POL is superior to pyramidal (PYR; i.e., greater volume in Z1 vs. Z2 vs. Z3) TID. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of POL vs. PYR TID in rowers during an 11-wk preparation period. Fourteen national elite male rowers participated (age: 20 ± 2 years, maximal oxygen uptake (trueV˙O2max): 66 ± 5 mL/min/kg). The sample was split into PYR and POL by varying the percentage spent in Z2 and Z3 while Z1 was clamped to ~93% and matched for total and rowing volume. Actual TIDs were based on time within heart rate zones (Z1 and Z2) and duration of Z3-intervals. The main outcome variables were average power in 2,000 m ergometer-test (P2,000 m), power associated with 4 mmol/L [blood lactate] (P4[BLa]), and trueV˙O2max. To quantify the level of polarization, we calculated a Polarization-Index as log (%Z1 × %Z3 / %Z2). PYR and POL did not significantly differ regarding rowing or total volume, but POL had a higher percentage of Z3 intensities (6 ± 3 vs. 2 ± 1%; p < 0.005) while Z2 was lower (1 ± 1 vs. 3 ± 2%; p < 0.05) and Z1 was similar (94 ± 3 vs. 93 ± 2%, p = 0.37). Consequently, Polarization-Index was significantly higher in POL (3.0 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4 a.u.; p < 0.01). P2,000 m did not significantly change with PYR (1.5 ± 1.7%, p = 0.06) nor POL (1.5 ± 2.6%, p = 0.26). trueV˙O2max did not change (1.7 ± 5.6%, p = 0.52 or 0.6 ± 2.6, p = 0.67) and a small increase in P4[BLa] was observed in PYR only (1.9 ± 4.8%, p = 0.37 or −0.5 ± 4.1%, p = 0.77). Changes from pre to post were not significantly different between groups in any performance measure. POL did not prove to be superior to PYR, possibly due to the high and very similar percentage of Z1 in this study.

The training intensity distribution (TID) of endurance athletes has retrieved substantial scientific interest since it reflects a vital component of training prescription: (i) the intensity of exercise and its distribution over time are essential components for adaptation to endurance training and (ii) the training volume (at least for most endurance disciplines) is already near or at maximum, so optimization of training procedures including TID have become paramount for success. This paper aims to elaborate the polarization-index (PI) which is calculated as log 10 (Zone 1/Zone 2 ∗ Zone 3 ∗ 100), where Zones 1–3 refer to aggregated volume (time or distance) spent with low, mid, or high intensity training. PI allows to distinguish between non-polarized and polarized TID using a cut-off > 2.00 a.U. and to quantify the level of a polarized TID. Within this hypothesis paper, examples from the literature illustrating the usefulness of PI-calculation are discussed as well as its limitations. Further it is elucidated how the PI may contribute to a more precise definition of TID descriptors.

A single bout of high intensity exercise is a potent stimulus for enhancing circulating DNase activity in healthy people. Acute exercise may therefore be considered as a non-pharmacological stimulus to trigger DNase activity. This finding may be relevant for pathological conditions associated with increased cfDNA concentrations like cystic fibrosis, where pharmacological recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) treatment has been successfully used to improve patients' health and physical function.

There is a growing interest in exploring irisin response to acute exercise; however, the associations of acute exercise-induced irisin release with training status and exercise mode are not fully understood. This study was primarily designed to evaluate these associations. Sixteen healthy adults (8 trained versus 8 untrained) underwent a bout of cycling at 80% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO) for 50 min, with blood drawn pre-, 10-, and 180-min post-exercise. Another 17 healthy adults performed 2 bouts of graded exercise (cycling and running) until exhaustion on separate days using a randomized cross-over design, with blood taken pre-, 0-, 10-, and 60-min post-exercise. Circulating irisin, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and myoglobin (Mb) were measured, and their respective areas under the curves (AUCs) were calculated. Irisin increased 10-min after 50 min of cycling at 80% of VO, while its changes from baseline to post-exercise and the amount of exercise-induced irisin release (presented as AUC) were comparable between trained and untrained adults (all P > .05). Irisin remained elevated 10-min post-exhausting running but decreased towards baseline 10-min post-exhausting cycling. Exhausting running induced an increase in irisin release for the whole course of exercise and recovery periods, but cycling did not. Acute exercise-induced irisin changes seemed not related to changes of CK, aspartate AST, and Mb in general. In conclusion, acute exercise-induced irisin release is not associated with training status but might be affected by training mode. Future studies are required to investigate which exercise mode might be most efficient in altering irisin.

This study examined sleep-wake habits and subjective jet-lag ratings of 55 German junior rowers (n = 30 male, 17.8 ± 0.5 years) before and during the World Rowing Junior Championships 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Athletes answered sleep logs every morning, and Liverpool John Moore's University Jet-Lag Questionnaires each evening and morning. Following an 11-h westward flight with 5-h time shift, advanced bedtimes (-1 h, P < .001, η = 0.68), reduced sleep onset latency (P = .002, η = 0.53) and increased sleep duration (P < .001, η = 0.60) were reported for the first two nights. Jet-lag symptoms peaked upon arrival but were still present after 6 days. Sleep quality improved (P < .001, η = 0.31) as well as some scales of the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes. Participation was successful as indicated by 11 of 13 top 3 placings. Overall, the initial desynchronisation did not indicate negative impacts on competition performance. As travel fatigue probably had a major effect on perceptual decrements, sleep during travel and time to recover upon arrival should be emphasised. Coaches and practitioners should consider higher sleep propensity in the early evening by scheduling training sessions and meetings until the late afternoon.

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the off-training physical activity (PA) profile in national elite German U23 rowers during 31 days of their preparation period. The hours spent in each PA category (i.e., sedentary: <1.5 metabolic equivalents (MET); light physical activity: 1.5–3 MET; moderate physical activity: 3–6 MET and vigorous intense physical activity: >6 MET) were calculated for every valid day (i.e., >480 min of wear time). The off-training PA during 21 weekdays and 10 weekend days of the final 11-week preparation period was assessed by the wrist-worn multisensory device Microsoft Band II (MSBII). A total of 11 rowers provided valid data (i.e., >480 min/day) for 11.6 week days and 4.8 weekend days during the 31 days observation period. The average sedentary time was 11.63 ± 1.25 h per day during the week and 12.49 ± 1.10 h per day on the weekend, with a tendency to be higher on the weekend compared to weekdays (p = 0.06; d = 0.73). The average time in light, moderate and vigorous PA during the weekdays was 1.27 ± 1.15, 0.76 ± 0.37, 0.51 ± 0.44 h per day, and 0.67 ± 0.43, 0.59 ± 0.37, 0.53 ± 0.32 h per weekend day. Light physical activity was higher during weekdays compared to the weekend (p = 0.04; d = 0.69). Based on our pilot study of 11 national elite rowers we conclude that rowers display a considerable sedentary off-training behavior of more than 11.5 h/day.

We wanted to demonstrate the relationship between blood volume, cardiac size, cardiac output and maximum oxygen uptake (V.O2max) and to quantify blood volume shifts during exercise and their impact on oxygen transport. Twenty-four healthy, non-smoking, heterogeneously trained male participants (27 ± 4.6 years) performed incremental cycle ergometer tests to determine V.O2max and changes in blood volume and cardiac output. Cardiac output was determined by an inert gas rebreathing procedure. Heart dimensions were determined by 3D echocardiography. Blood volume and hemoglobin mass were determined by using the optimized CO-rebreathing method. The V.O2max ranged between 47.5 and 74.1 mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1. Heart volume ranged between 7.7 and 17.9 mL⋅kg–1 and maximum cardiac output ranged between 252 and 434 mL⋅kg–1⋅min–1. The mean blood volume decreased by 8% (567 ± 187 mL, p = 0.001) until maximum exercise, leading to an increase in [Hb] by 1.3 ± 0.4 g⋅dL–1 while peripheral oxygen saturation decreased by 6.1 ± 2.4%. There were close correlations between resting blood volume and heart volume (r = 0.73, p = 0.002), maximum blood volume and maximum cardiac output (r = 0.68, p = 0.001), and maximum cardiac output and V.O2max (r = 0.76, p &lt; 0.001). An increase in maximum blood volume by 1,000 mL was associated with an increase in maximum stroke volume by 25 mL and in maximum cardiac output by 3.5 L⋅min–1. In conclusion, blood volume markedly decreased until maximal exhaustion, potentially affecting the stroke volume response during exercise. Simultaneously, hemoconcentrations maintained the arterial oxygen content and compensated for the potential loss in maximum cardiac output. Therefore, a large blood volume at rest is an important factor for achieving a high cardiac output during exercise and blood volume shifts compensate for the decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation, thereby maintaining a high arteriovenous oxygen difference.

US is a suitable tool to measure BF in the field testing of athletes and enables measurements of SAT with an accuracy and reliability not reached before. The sum of thicknesses (D or D) can be used to represent subcutaneous fat based on accurate measurements of uncompressed SAT thicknesses.