title: 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.
authors.affiliation: British Olympic Medical Centre, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ, Middx, UK. Stephen.ingham@boa.org.uk
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ingham
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nevill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D016552:Ergometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012767:Ships; D013177:Sports
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates