Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(5): 368-373
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815844
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Peak Power Output Predicts Rowing Ergometer Performance in Elite Male Rowers

M. Bourdin1 , L. Messonnier1 , 2 , J.-P. Hager3 , J.-R. Lacour1
  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Exercice - GIP E2 S, Faculté de médecine Lyon-Sud, Oullins Cedex, France
  • 2Laboratoire de Modélisation des Activités Sportives, Département STAPS - UFR CISM - Université de Savoie, Campus Universitaire, Le Bourget du Lac Cedex, France
  • 3Service de Médecine du Sport, Centre hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: August 10, 2003

Publication Date:
18 May 2004 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that peak power output (Ppeak) sustained during maximal incremental testing would be an overall index of rowing ergometer performance over 2000 m (P2000), and to study the influence of selected physiological variables on Ppeak. A group of 54 highly trained rowers (31 heavyweight [HW] and 23 lightweight [LW] rowers) was studied. Body mass, maximal oxygen uptake (V·O2max), oxygen consumption corresponding to a blood lactate of 4 mmol · l-1 expressed in percentage of V·O2max (V·O2La4 %), and rowing gross efficiency (RGE) were also determined during the incremental test. In the whole group Ppeak was the best predictor of P2000 (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Body mass (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001), V·O2max (r = 0.84, p < 0.0001), V·O2La4 % (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001) and RGE (r = 0.35, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with P2000 as well. To take the influence of body mass into account, V·O2max was related to kg0.57. Ppeak was significantly related to body mass (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001), V·O2max · kg-0.57 (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001), V·O2La4 % (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and RGE (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the above parameters taken together explained 82.8 % of Ppeak variation in the whole group. It was also demonstrated that Ppeak was the best predictor of P2000 when LW and HW groups were considered separately. It was concluded that, by integrating the main physiological factors of performance, Ppeak is an overall index of physiological rowing capacity and rowing efficiency in heterogeneous as well as in homogeneous groups. It presents the further advantage of being easily measured in the field.

Key words

Testing - efficiency - maximal oxygen uptake - blood lactate

References

  • 1 Åstrand P O, Saltin B. Maximal oxygen uptake and heart rate in various types of muscular activity.  J Appl Physiol. 1961;  16 971-977
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Bergh U, Sjödin B, Forsberg A, Svedenhag J. The relationship between body mass and oxygen uptake during running in humans.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 205-211
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Billat V, Renoux J, Pinoteau J, Petit B, Koralsztein J. Times to exhaustion at 100 % of velocity at VO2max and modelling of the time-limit/velocity relationship in elite long-distance runners.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994;  69 271-273
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Cosgrove M J, Wilson J, Watt D, Grant S F. The relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m ergometer test.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 845-852
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Hawley J A, Noakes T D. Peak power output predicts maximal oxygen uptake and performance time in trained cyclists.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  65 79-83
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Ingham S, Whyte G, Jones K, Nevill A. Determinants of 2000 m rowing ergometer performance in elite rowers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  88 243-246
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Jacobs I, Sjödin B, Schéle R. A single blood lactate determination as an indicator of cycle ergometer endurance capacity.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1983;  50 355-364
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Kramer J, Léger A, Paterson D, Morrow A. Rowing performance and selected descriptive, field, and laboratory variables.  Can J Appl Physiol. 1994;  19 174-184
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Kuipers H, Verstappen F TJ, Keizer H A, Geurten P, vanKranenburg G. Variability of aerobic performance in the laboratory and its physiologic correlates.  Int J Sports Med. 1985;  6 197-200
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Messonnier L, Freund H, Bourdin M, Belli A, Lacour J-R. Lactate exchange and removal abilities in rowing performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 396-401
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Nevill A. The need to scale for differences in body size and mass: an explanation of Kleiber's 0. 75 mass exponent.  J Appl Physiol. 1994;  77 2870-2873
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Noakes T D, Myburgh K H, Schall R. Peak treadmill running velocity during the VO2max test predicts running performance.  J Sports Sci. 1990;  8 35-45
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Nozaki D, Kawakami Y, Fukunaga T, Miyashita M. Mechanical efficiency of rowing a single scull.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1993;  3 251-255
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 di Prampero P E, Cortili G, Celentano F, Cerretelli P. Physiological aspects of rowing.  J Appl Physiol. 1971;  31 853-857
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Riechman S, Zoeller R, Balasekaran G, Goss F, Robertson R. Prediction of 2000 m indoor rowing performance using a 30 s sprint and maximal oxygen uptake.  J Sports Sci. 2002;  20 681-687
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Russell A, Rossignol P L, Sparrow W. Prediction of elite schoolboy 2000 m rowing ergometer performance from metabolic, anthropometric and strength variables.  J Sports Sci. 1998;  16 749-754
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Snoeckx L, Abeling H, Lambregts J, Schmitz J, Verstappen F, Reneman R. Cardiac dimensions in athletes in relation to variations in their training program.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1983;  52 20-28
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Steinacker J. Physiological aspects of training in rowing.  Int J Sports Med. 1993;  14 3-10
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Svedenhag J. Maximal and submaximal oxygen uptake during running: how should body mass be accounted for?.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1995;  5 175-180
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Muriel Bourdin

Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Exercice - GIP E2 S, Faculté de médecine Lyon-Sud

BP 12

69921 Oullins Cedex

France

Phone: + 33478863135

Fax: + 33 4 78 86 31 35

Email: bourdin@univ-lyon1.fr