Physiologic changes in rowing performance associated with training in collegiate women rowers.

To evaluate the physiologic changes in rowing performance during the training season, selected cardiorespiratory variables were measured three times at 3-month intervals in seven collegiate women rowers during incremental exercise on the rowing ergometer. Values for maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and peak power production increased by 14% and 18%, respectively, over the 6-month period. Maximal heart rate was unchanged with training. Oxygen-pulse increased significantly (+ 14%) during the training season, while the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen did not change. Oxygen consumption as a percent of VO2 max and heart rate at the anaerobic threshold (AT) decreased during the first 3 months of predominantly aerobic training, but increased significantly in the last 3 months with greater anaerobic conditioning. The changes demonstrated by physiologic testing corresponded to the particular type of training emphasized during the 6-month period. Serial measurements of VO2 max and AT can be used to assess the benefits of specific training. Based on these results, individual guidelines for aerobic and anaerobic conditioning can be developed using the heart rate response at the AT.

Comparison of 6-min "all-out" and incremental exercise tests in elite oarsmen.

A high aerobic capacity is an important criterion for rowing success. Two exercise protocols, the 6-min "all-out" (6M-AO) and progressive incremental (PI) tests, have been used to evaluate physiological performance in rowers and to select team members. We measured heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) every 30 s, and obtained ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) from 12 candidates for the 1983 United States Men's Lightweight Rowing Team. Testing was randomized and each oarsman performed a different test on the rowing ergometer on consecutive days. For the group, age was 23 +/- 2 yr (mean +/- SD), height was 183 +/- 3 cm, and weight was 72.2 +/- 1.4 kg. Peak physiological values were achieved in the first 2 min of exercise for the 6M-AO test, but in the last 2 min for the PI test. There were no statistically significant differences among peak values for HR, VE, VO2, VCO2, and RPE with each test. The peak ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2) was also similar. The onset of anaerobic metabolism was observed at 83 +/- 4% of peak VO2 during the PI test, while anaerobic metabolism has been shown to occur within the first minute of the 6M-AO test. We conclude that physiological values at peak exercise were similar for the 6M-AO and PI tests. Because the onset of anaerobic metabolism can only be determined by noninvasive means using the PI test, this method of testing is preferable for the physiological assessment of rowing performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)