1. Dr. Niamh Ní Chéilleachair 15th October 2016
Rowing Pathways to Success Physiological Demands of Rowing and How to Prepare for it
Dr. Niamh Ní Chéilleachair
15th October 2016

2. Physiology of Rowing Strength-endurance sport Aerobic & Anaerobic
Rowing has been described in the research as being
Intense exercise – over a 2000 m rowing race elite rowers exercise at a “severe steady state” with the majority of work performed at 95 – 98% or maximal aerobic capacity.
Intense exercise
Amongst highest physiology recorded

3. Determinants of Rowing Performance
VO2max
Power at VO2max
High muscle mass
Slow twitch muscle fibers
Blood lactate indices LT AT
Of the two of these explain VO2max and blood lactate.

4. VO2max
VO2max
“The highest amount of oxygen the body can use during heavy strenuous exercise”
Also know as aerobic capacity
In general increases in the %O2max at which an individual can exercise over prolonged periods of time are more sensitive to training. Technique, state of training, and psychological factors can also have a positive or negative influence on performance.
Thus VO2max is often referred to as the ‘prerequisite’ for good performance, i.e. it does not determine good performance but it is necessary for good performance.
Integrative ability of the lungs to take in O2 and provide it to the blood, the O2 binding capacity of the blood, maximum cardiac output, type of muscles and amount of capillaries surrounding the muscle.

5. VO2max
VO2max
“The highest amount of oxygen the body can use during heavy strenuous exercise”
VO2max is often referred to as the ‘prerequisite’ for good performance
But it does not determine good performance
Integrative ability of the lungs to take in O2 and provide it to the blood, the O2 binding capacity of the blood, maximum cardiac output, type of muscles and amount of capillaries surrounding the muscle.
In general increases in the %O2max at which an individual can exercise over prolonged periods of time are more sensitive to training. Technique, state of training, and psychological factors can also have a positive or negative influence on performance. Thus VO2max is often referred to as the ‘prerequisite’ for good performance, i.e. it does not determine good performance but it is necessary for good performance.

6. Blood Lactate Produced even at rest ~ 1 mmol
Anaerobic exercise  lactate from the breakdown of glucose or glycogen
As exercise intensity ↑ lactate ↑
Can impair glycolysis and inhibit fat oxiation

7. Blood Lactate Why test blood lactate?
Lactate indices more sensitive indicators of adaptations to training & performance
Serve as indicator of training adaptation
May indicate optimal training stimuli
Set training intensities
How is this done?
Through determination of deflection points or thresholds

8. Blood Lactate Lactate Threshold (LT) Anaerobic Threshold (AT)
The power at which the lactate concentration first rises above the resting level.
You should be able to train below this intensity for >20 mins without incurring a rise in HR or lactate.
Anaerobic Threshold (AT)
The power at which the lactate concentration rises sharply in response to the increasing intensity.
Training above this intensity cannot be sustained without incurring high lactate concentrations.

9. Blood Lactate Lactate Threshold (LT) Anaerobic Threshold (AT)
The power at which the lactate concentration first rises above the resting level.
You should be able to train below this intensity for >20 mins without incurring a rise in HR or lactate.
Anaerobic Threshold (AT)
The power at which the lactate concentration rises sharply in response to the increasing intensity.
Training above this intensity cannot be sustained without incurring high lactate concentrations. AT

10. 2000 m Rowing Physiology
Can anyone tell me the difference between aerobic and anaerobic?

11. 2000 m Rowing Physiology
75-80% of energy comes from aerobic energy systems
20-25% from anaerobic energy systems
Accordingly, more dependant on aerobic power and capacity
Can anyone tell me the difference between aerobic and anaerobic?

12. 2000 m Rowing Physiology Oxygen required No oxygen required
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Oxygen required
Fats & carbohydrates
Complex system
Unlimited energy stores
No oxygen required
Carbohydrates
Quick source of energy
Limited source of energy
Lactate
Can anyone tell me the difference between aerobic and anaerobic?

13. Physiological demands for a 2000m race
Training?
Training should be characterised by large amounts of aerobic training
UT3
UT2
UT1
Max T AT
Even though all Olympic endurance events are performance at or above the lactate threshold (or ≥85% VO2max ), the large majority of the training performed is completed below lactate threshold”
If we look at the lactate curve

14. Physiological demands for a 2000m race
Training?
Training should be characterised by large amounts of aerobic training BELOW anaerobic threshold
“An established endurance base built from high volumes of training is an important precondition for tolerating and responding well to an increase in training intensity “ (Seiler 2010)
80%
AEROBIC
20%
Other
even though all Olympic endurance events are performance at or above the lactate threshold (or ≥85% VO2max ), the large majority of the training performed is completed below lactate threshold”

15. Why 80% Aerobic?
To ensure the aerobic development and physiological adaptations required to race 2000 m as fast as possible occur
Physiological Adaptations
Muscles
Heart
Lungs
Blood
Metabolic

16. Why 80% Aerobic?
To ensure the aerobic development and physiological adaptations required to race 2000 m as fast as possible occur
Physiological Adaptations
Muscles
Heart
Lungs
Blood
Metabolic
↑ no of capillaries
↑ no & size of mitochondria
↑ oxidative enzymes
↑ in type I fibers
 ↑ oxidative metabolism

17. Why 80% Aerobic?
To ensure the aerobic development and physiological adaptations required to race 2000 m as fast as possible occur
Physiological Adaptations
Muscles
Heart
Lungs
Blood
Metabolic
↑ heart size
↑ blood pumped by heart
↓ heart rate

18. Why 80% Aerobic?
To ensure the aerobic development and physiological adaptations required to race 2000 m as fast as possible occur
Physiological Adaptations
Muscles
Heart
Lungs
Blood
Metabolic
↑ blood volume
↑ RBCs
↑ blood flow

19. Why 80% Aerobic?
To ensure the aerobic development and physiological adaptations required to race 2000 m as fast as possible occur
Physiological Adaptations
Muscles
Heart
Lungs
Blood
Metabolic
Lactate:
↑ clearance
↓ production
Improved aerobic power
↓ reliance on anaerobic system

20. Why 80% Aerobic?
To ensure the aerobic development and physiological adaptations required to race 2000 m as fast as possible occur
Physiological Adaptations
Muscles
Metabolic
Lungs
Heart
Blood
Lactate:
↑ clearance
↓ production
Improved aerobic power
↓ reliance on anaerobic system

21. 80% 20% ↑ Aerobic Capacity AEROBIC Other
All of these changes take lots of aerobic training, kilometres of training on the water and allow for an increase in your VO2max, an improvement in your engine and ultimately an improvement in performance.
80%
AEROBIC
20%
Other

22. ↑ Performance 80% 20% ↑ Aerobic Capacity AEROBIC Other
All of these changes take lots of aerobic training, kilometres of training on the water and allow for an increase in your VO2max, an improvement in your engine and ultimately an improvement in performance.
80%
AEROBIC
20%
Other

23. Thank you!