Physiological characteristics of America's Cup sailors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the physiological profile of America's Cup grinders and mastmen, by measuring energy expenditure during sailing and assessing their aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The study focused on estimating the energy used during grinding activity, by measuring oxygen uptake (VO(2)) during sail setting in real sailing conditions. In the laboratory, using an arm-cranking ergometer, we measured VO(2peak) during an incremental maximal exercise test and total energy expended during the effort and recovery phases of an all-out test that simulated grinding activity, in six grinders and mastmen and ten sailors of the same crew. Total energy used during grinding corresponded to 45% (s = 9) and 51% (s = 5) of that used in the all-out test (234 kJ, s = 21.7) for tacks and gybes, respectively. In both grinding activity and the all-out test, VO(2) increased during and after the effort. The "VO(2) top value" was 53% (s = 8.6), 68% (s = 5.5), and 78% (s = 3.1) of VO(2peak) (4.7 l . min(-1), s = 0.43) in tacks, gybes, and the all-out test, respectively. During fast sequences of grinding activity, the "VO(2) top value" reached 65% (s = 7.1) VO(2peak) in tacks and 91% (s = 3.3) VO(2peak) in gybes. Our results suggest that grinders and mastmen are characterized by a high anaerobic capacity but their performance can be improved by powering aerobic fitness, to increase this energy contribution to all-out efforts and to guarantee fast recovery when grinding activity is repeated with short rest intervals.

Aerobic power and peak power of elite America’s Cup sailors

“…The mean VO 2 at OBLA of the sailors in the present study was 71% of VO 2max which is less than that typically reported in elite cyclists (~86% (Mujika and Padilla 2001)) and well trained kayakers (81% (van Someren and Oliver 2002)). The nature of grinding during America's Cup yacht racing is highly intermittent and characterised by short bouts of maximal effort interspersed by longer rest intervals (Bernardi et al 2007;Neville 2008). This intermittent activity profile may explain the lower OBLA of grinders compared to the continuous activities of cycling and flat water kayaking.…”

“…There are typically five or six designated grinders in the crew of 17, however, all athletes assist with grinding, with the exception of the helmsman. It has been suggested that America's Cup grinding utilises both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems, depending on the intensity of racing (Bernardi et al 2007), but the physiological characteristics of America's Cup sailors are poorly understood and very little research has been published on standing arm cranking.…”

“…To date the majority of arm cranking research has been performed seated, with restricted lower limb involvement. The physiological responses to standing arm cranking have not been widely documented, with only a few reports on aerobic power (Vokac et al 1975;Bernardi et al 2007) and peak power (Vandewalle et al 1989;Hubner-Wozniak et al 2004;Bouhlel et al 2007;Pearson et al 2007) present in the literature. Standing arm cranking appears to elicit a similar cardiorespiratory response to seated arm cranking, but with a higher peak work load evident (13%) (Vokac et al 1975 (Bernardi et al 2007).…”

“…The peak velocity of grinding during America's Cup racing has been reported to be between 120 and 150 revolutions per minute (Bernardi et al 2007), but the optimum velocity for power production and the nature of the torque-velocity and power-velocity relationships during standing arm cranking have not been determined. This may have an important bearing on the selection of gear ratios and the optimisation of power production during big-boat sailing.…”

“…min -1 and bowmen, 52 ml . kg -1. min -1 (Bernardi et al 2007). This disparity between positions is likely due to differences in body mass between roles, with grinders ~20 kg heavier than bowmen as a result of their high power requirements.…”