ANALYSIS OF THE TRAINING LOAD AND FITNESS LEVEL OF RUSSIAN NATIONAL ROWING TEAM IN THE 2014-2015 SEASON

Abstract

The relatively low level of Russian rowing teams’ performance at international rowing competitions reflects certain mistakes in the training process of these teams. Basing on the analysis of the best training practices, we tried to identify possible mistakes in the training process that had caused poor results of the Russian national team in the 2014-15 season. Research methods and organization. Comparative analysis of the training volume and intensity practiced by the world leading teams and the Russian rowing team in the 2014-15 season; analysis of the special fitness level of teams on the basis of literature resources and proceedings of the coach conferences of the World Rowing Federation (FISA). Results and Discussion. Analysis of the completed training loads in the 2014-15 season revealed that the Russian national rowing team executed about 57% of the water exercises and 66% of the Rowing Ergometer exercises in the 3rd and 4th zones of intensity. Rowers did not experience the loads for the development of power qualities by means of general physical training. Conclusion. The system of training of the Russian rowing team in 2014-2015 looks less effective in comparison with the system of training of world-leading national teams. The method of training of the Russian rowing national team employed in the 2014-15 season was totally different from the world standards. The above mentioned factors caused the low level of the team performance in that season due to the premature achievement of the sport fitness peak by the Russian athletes.