1998•Medicine & Science in Sports & ExerciseRequires access
PREDICTION OF 2000 M ROWING PERFORMANCE IN FEMALES USING INDICES OF ANAEROBIC AND AEROBIC POWER
Steven E. Riechman, Robert F. Zoeller, Govindasamy Balasekaran, Fredric L. Goss, R. J. Robertson
Open publisher page 0 citations
Abstract
1560 Aerobic and anaerobic physiological predictors of 2000M rowing performance were determined in twelve competitive female (18 to 29 yr. old) rowers. Blood lactic acid, glucose and VO2 were measured during a progressively incremented test on a Concept II rowing ergometer. Power output was increased by 25 watts during each two minute test stage. A one minute sitting rest separated stages. VO2peak was determined during the stage at which exercise was terminated (i.e. maximal intensity). Blood lactic acid was measured during each stage and plotted against VO2 to determine the lactate threshold (LT). Peak anaerobic power was assessed during a 30 secs maximal exercise trial using a modified Wingate test protocol administered on the Concept II. Laboratory testing was completed in conjunction with the 1997 Pittsburgh Indoor Rowing Championships to control for seasonal fluctuations in training and competition. Test responses were: TableTabler (Time2000) was negatively correlated with measures of both anaerobic and aerobic power. Stepwise multiple regression analysis produced the following model to predict 2000 M rowing performance: Time2000 =-0.198·(Powerpeak) - 21.145·(VO2peak) + 605.868(r2 = 0.89). Previous investigations have shown weak correlations between 2000 M rowing ergometer performance and peak anaerobic power as well as little or no correlations between rowing performance and selected measures of strength. VO2peak has regularly been reported as the most powerful predictor of rowing performance. The current investigation used a mode specific measure of peak anaerobic power that along with VO2peak provided a strong prediction of 2000M rowing performance. The results suggest that in the women studied, 2000M rowing performance depended on energy contributions from anaerobic as well as aerobic metabolic pathways. The findings support the hypothesis that competitive rowing may be classified as a“power (anaerobic) - endurance (aerobic)” event.