Rowers compete over a 2000-m distance lasting 6-7 min at international level with an estimated anaerobic (ANA) and aerobic (AER) energy contribution of ~25 and ~75 % (1). Studies on elite rowers suggest that maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) is an important physiological variable to predict 2000m performance (2,3), but little is known about the influence from ANA power and capacity and the association between AER and ANA performance parameters. Twenty-two world-class male lightweight rowers (VO2 max 5.5±0.3 L/min, 75.3±1.8 kg, avg±SD) - 13 of whom have won medals at the World championships and Olympics - were tested on a rowing ergometer (Concept II) for establishment of the power-duration curve (100-m~15s, 1-min, 2000-m~6min, 6000-m~20-min, 60-min max rowing) and a 6-min max test to determine VO2 max and peak lactate (Lac) in blood collected from a fingertip 1, 3 and 5 min after the test. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. The power-duration curve is shown in Figure 1, and Table 1 shows the average values (±SD) for the different tests as well as the correlation coefficients between the variables. ANA power (100-m max) and capacity (Lac & 1-min max) were not correlated with any measure of AER power (VO2 max) or capacity (6000m & 60min max rowing). ANA power and capacity determined as 100-m and 1-min max rowing respectively were correlated with 2000-m performance (r2=0.29 & 0.43), and the 1 min max test actually showed a stronger relationship to 2000-m performance than VO2 max (r2=0.34). In conclusion, ANA and AER performance parameters are not opposites in top level rowers. For example, the lack of correlation between 100-m and 60-min max rowing shows that an athlete can have both a high ANA power and high AER capacity. Furthermore, a high ANA power (100-m max) and capacity (1-min max test) appears to be as important for 2000-m performance as AER power (VO2 max). Despite large parts of training in rowing traditionally focussing on improving AER power and capacity (4,5) the present study indicates that ANA training may be beneficial for 2000-m performance.
© Copyright 2012 The biomedical basis of elite performance. 19-21 March 2012, London, UK. Abstracts & Manuscripts. Veröffentlicht von The Physiological Society. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.