Determinants of 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance in elite rowers

Abstract

This study examined the physiological determinants of performance during rowing over 2,000 m on an ergometer in finalists from World Championship rowing or sculling competitions from all categories of competion rowing (19 male and 13 female heavyweight, 4 male and 5 female lightweight). Discontinuous incremental rowing to exhaustion established the blood lactate threshold, maximum oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) and power at VO(2max); five maximal strokes assessed maximal force, maximal power and stroke length. These results were compared to maximal speed during a 2,000 m ergometer time trial. The strongest correlations were for power at VO(2max), maximal power and maximal force (r=0.95; P<0.001). Correlations were also observed for VO(2max) (r=0.88, P<0.001) and oxygen consumption (VO(2)) at the blood lactate threshold (r=0.87, P=0.001). The physiological variables were included in a stepwise regression analysis to predict performance speed (metres per second). The resultant model included power at VO(2max), VO(2) at the blood lactate threshold, power at the 4 mmol x l(-1) concentration of blood lactate and maximal power which together explained 98% of the variance in the rowing performance over 2,000 m on an ergometer. The model was validated in 18 elite rowers, producing limits of agreement from -0.006 to 0.098 m x s(-1) for speed of rowing over 2,000 m on the ergometer, equivalent to times of -1.5 to 6.9 s (-0.41% to 1.85%). Together, power at VO(2max), VO(2) at the blood lactate threshold, power at 4 mmol x l(-1) blood lactate concentration and maximal power could be used to predict rowing performance.

Investigating the Effects of Typical Rowing Strength Training Practices on Strength and Power Development and 2,000 m Rowing Performance

“…Participants then performed a 5 min warm-up on a rowing ergometer (Concept 2 Model C, Concept 2 Ltd, Wilford, Notts, UK). Thereafter, a protocol of strength and power tests involving assessment of maximal voluntary contraction force of the leg extensors at 90° (MVC) using a strain gauge (MIE Medical Research Ltd, Leeds, UK), three individual static-squat jumps (SSJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) using an optoelectronic sensor (Optojump Next, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), and five maximal rowing power strokes (PS) performed at a rate of 30 strokes·min -1 , as described previously (Ingham et al, 2002), was completed.…”

A Physiological and Kinematic Comparison of two Different Lean Back Positions During Stationary Rowing on a Concept II Machine

“…During the recovery phase, there is a deceleration of the rowing machine flywheel during stationary rowing and the racing shell velocity during on water rowing ( Millard, 1987 ). This basic sequence of phases are repeated at various stroke rates depending on the speed/power output desired; the pacing strategy used during a simulated or actual 2000 m rowing race; or, the stroke rate required for physical training or fitness testing of a rower ( Bell et al, 1989 ; Hartman et al, 1994 ; Torres-Moreno et al, 1999 ; Gillies and Bell, 2000; Ingham et al, 2002 ; Kennedy and Bell, 2003 ; Mandic et al, 2004 ; Garland, 2005; Webster et al, 2006 ; Volger et al, 2010 ). Despite obvious differences in the kinematics of rowing a racing shell on water (sweep or scull) and rowing a stationary ergometer, many physiological requirements of the rowing action ( Hagerman, 1984 ; Martindale and Robertson, 1984 ; Secher, 1993 ; Urhausen et al, 1993 ; Volger et al, 2010 ) and the basic sequences of movement patterns in a general rowing stroke are similar between the two modes ( Secher, 1993 ; Nolte, 2005 ; Webster et al, 2006 ).…”

Assessment of hand kinematics and interactions with the environment

“…Examples can be found in studies of human performance in sports [73,82] and physical rehabilitation training [34,72,99,111,215]. Lumbar loading during lifting has been analyzed using force plates and an optical 3D movement analysis system in combination with biomechanical models [35,89,177].…”

“…Research about the power transfer between the human body and its environment has only been performed during restrained movements in a restricted environment, for example, based on a measured crank moment and pedal frequency during cycling [215] or using instrumented ergometers [82].…”

“…• In sports, motor tasks are trained to the ultimate, maximizing force and/or endurance and optimizing coordination [67,73,82]. In many sports, the athlete exercises in conjunction with objects like balls, rackets, bats -etcetera and ultimately wants to optimize the forces and motion applied to this sports equipment.…”