Research Of Physical Ability Characteristic And The Relationship Between Physiological Variables And Rowing Performance In Elite Male Rowers

Introduction: Rowing is an aerobic endurance event, aerobic and anaerobic ability are both highly needed to complete a 2000m race. Variables from anthropometric, body functional, biochemistry metabolic and physical fitness reveal the rowers' physical ability characteristic and help us to establish training plans. We can find out the main factors effecting rowing performance by investigating the relationship between physiological variables and rowing performance time by a 2000 m time-trial on a rowing ergometer and, at the same time, establish a prediction model using stepwise multiple linear regression. This will help us in athlete identification, athlete physical fitness evaluating and establishing training program. We review literatures about rowing and find that only a few studies paid attention to this research field and no article came from China.Objective: In this study we want to (1) analyze physiological and biochemistry variables from rowers, assess rowers' aerobic and anaerobic rowing special ability and to assess their physical ability; (2) reveal the relation between physiological variables and performance and use the result to plan training program; (3) establish rowing performance prediction model with physiological variables using a stepwise multiple linear regression and discuss the feasibility of this prediction model. Method: 14 male elite rowers from China rowing team volunteered to participate. Variables assessed in this study from anthropometric, biochemistry, physical fitness and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), Lactate threshold (W 4mmol/L), rowing performance time and correlative variables from 2000 m time-trial. All variables are analyzed to reveal their relation with rowing performance time.Results and conclusions:(1) Rowers in present study are as tall and heavy as world elite rower, but their body fat is higher than that of world elite rower. Their compete ability will ascend if rowers reduce their body fat with training.(2) The rowers' VO2max and W4 mmol/L in the present study are lower than those of world elite rowers. We suppose these factors restrict China male rowers to win.(3) Present rowing performance time by 2000 m and 5000 m time-trial on rowing ergometer is longer than that of world elite rowers. In the 2000 m time-trial each 500 m power output descend and rowing performance time become longer with exercise perform and post-exercise blood lactic acid concentration is lower than that of world elite rowers. The fact suggests that rowers' aerobic ability, anaerobic ability and blood lactic acid tolerance in present research are all poorer compared to those of world elite rowers.(4) VO2max and W4mmol/L have a strong correction to the 2000 m rowing performance by a time-trial. This proves the hypothesis that rowing is an aerobic endurance event. Free-fat body mass has the strongest correction to rowing performance when we do not think about VO2max. The poor correction between maximal strength and rowing suggest that it is difficult to transfer maximal strength to special rowing force. We should think about these effecting factors when establish training program.(5) The prediction model including VO2max and flexile variable can be used to predict rowing performance by a 2000 m time-trial on a concept II rowing ergometer.(6) Concentration of biochemical variables is in the normal range. It suggests that training stress be not so strong in the recover period and the basal value can be used to control training.