Physiological Profiles and Performance Predictors of a Women’s NCAA Rowing Team

Abstract

We described the physiological profiles of rowers (N = 16; age = 20.1 +/- 1.4 years, weight = 78.6 +/- 9.5 kg, height = 177.5 +/- 3.1 cm) of the top 2 varsity boats on an NCAA women's crew and determined whether physiological measures predict boat assignment as determined by the head coach. Eight participants were members of the top varsity boat (1V) and 8 competed at a lower level (2V). Expired gases were collected while subjects completed the U.S. National Team VO(2)max (3-minute stages) and 2 kilometer (2K) time trial rowing ergometer protocols. Heart rates (HR) and blood lactates were measured before, during, and after each test. The VO(2)max and blood lactate at stage 2 of the VO(2)max test were used to predict boat assignment. Average (+/-SD) VO(2)max was 3.86 +/- 0.40 L.min(-1). The 2K times averaged 453.0 +/- 10.5 seconds. Subjects used approximately 96% of VO(2)max and 98% of HR(max) during the 2K time trials. Neither VO(2)max nor submaximal lactate were related to boat assignment. The VO(2) values during the 2K trial indicated that rowing economy differed among athletes. Results of physiological measures should help the coach individualize workouts of top performers.

Physiological factors to predict on traditional rowing performance

“…Rowing ergometers have improved training and provided a controllable and repeatable tool to use in the assessment of Olympic rowing performance. Numerous studies have tried to define performance factors in the 2,000 m ergometer (Bourdin et al 2004;Cosgrove et al 1999;Ingham et al 2002;Jurimae et al 1999;Perkins and Pivarnik 2003;Riechman et al 2002;Russell et al 1998). In these studies, rowers of different levels and boats were utilised, and different predictors of performance were frequently obtained, such as VO 2max (Secher 1993), percentage of slow twitch fibres (Roth et al 1983), body mass (Secher 1993), power output at a blood lactate concentration ([La -] b ) of 4 mmol l -1 (Roth et al 1983) or peak power output (Ppeak) sustained during maximal incremental testing (Bourdin et al 2004).…”

The development of physiological profiles and identification of training needs in NCAA female collegiate rowers using isoperformance curves

“…Furthermore, successful rowers have a higher percentage of slow-twitch Wbers (76-85%) and an increased density of mitochondria, allowing for a higher oxidative capacity (Hagerman and Staron 1982;Steinacker 1993). Collegiate rowing has been gaining popularity, with women's crew being one of the fastest growing varsity sports in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (Perkins and Pivarnik 2003). In most cases, athletes are recruited based on overall athletic ability and size, with few athletes having previous rowing experience.…”

“…Participation in female collegiate rowing as a varsity sport in the United States became more popular after the introduction of Title IX (Perkins and Pivarnik 2003). Relatively few high school rowing programs exist as developmental programs; therefore, many collegiate programs recruit athletes with minimal rowing experience.…”

Physiological responses to 1000-m ergometer time-trial performance in outrigger canoeing

“…However, performance measures such as power output and time to complete a set distance are often used in conjunction with measures of physiological capacity for crew selection, but these performance measures cannot be determined using a graded exercise test. Instead, set-distance time trials (Perkins & Pivarnik, 2003;Pripstein, Rhodes, McKenzie, & Coutts, 1999) are used to measure the performance variables. Therefore, if crews are to be selected on the basis of a combination of physiological capacities and performance measures, the athletes may be required to undergo both a graded exercise test and time trial.…”

“…Highly trained athletes train specifically for maximal competitive efforts and are able to maintain a very high percentage of peak _ V O 2 throughout an all-out effort (Hagerman, Hagerman, & Mickelson, 1979;Hagerman & Mickelson, 1981) and may even reach peak physiological response values attained during graded exercise tests (Perkins & Pivarnik, 2003;Pripstein et al, 1999). Therefore, when the intention of testing is to provide feedback concerning both peak _ V O 2 and time-trial performance for crew selection and performance-monitoring purposes, an all-out test may be most appropriate.…”