Comparison of the oxygen uptake kinetics of club and olympic champion rowers.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that elite rowers would possess a faster, more economic oxygen uptake response than club standard rowers.


METHODS
Eight Olympic champion (ELITE) rowers were compared with a cohort of eight club standard (CLUB) rowers. Participants completed a progressive exercise test to exhaustion, repeated 6-min moderate and heavy square-wave transitions, and a maximal 2000-m ergometer time trial.


RESULTS
The time constant (tau) of the primary component (PC) was faster for the ELITE group compared with CLUB for moderate-intensity (13.9 vs 19.4 s, P = 0.02) and heavy-intensity (18.7 vs 22.4 s, P = 0.005) exercise. ELITE rowers consumed less oxygen for moderate (14.2 vs 15.6 mL x min(-1) x W(-1); P = 0.009) and heavy (12.1 vs 13.7 mL x min(-1) x W(-1); P = 0.01) exercise. A greater absolute slow component was observed in the ELITE group (P = 0.009), but no differences were noted when the slow component was expressed relative to work rate performed (P = 0.14). Intergroup correlation with time trial performance speed was significant for tauPC during heavy-intensity exercise (r = -0.59, P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with CLUB rowers, the shorter time constant response and greater economy observed in ELITE rowers may suggest advantageous adjustment of oxidative processes from rest to work. Training status or performance level do not seem to be associated with a smaller slow component when comparing CLUB and ELITE oarsmen.
Ingham
Stephen A
SA
English Institute of Sport, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Steve.ingham@eis2win.co.uk
Carter
Helen
H
Whyte
Gregory P
GP
Doust
Jonathan H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012767:Ships; D013177:Sports; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom