CARACTERÍSTICAS ANTROPOMÉTRICAS E FISIOLÓGICAS DE REMADORES JUNIORES DE ELITE

Abstract

Introduction: Rowing is a competitive sport in which men and women of all ages compete. Most of the studies reported on rowing have been carried out with young adult rowers. As it is important to have rowing experience before a senior age classification, it is necessary to study adolescent or junior athletes in this sport. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between selected physiological variables of male and female rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2,000 m time-trial. Methods: Fifteen rowers (six males and nine females) ages 15-18 years who competed in the Hungarian Junior Rowing Championships performed a 2,000-m rowing ergometer test in the laboratory. Prior to this task, these subjects completed a measure of body size, composition and vertical jump on a force platform. Oxygen consumption was measured along with power output during the rowing ergometer trial. Results: This descriptive study of Junior Rowers identify the importance of aerobic power (rate of oxygen consumption) as a predictor of rowing performance. Since the mean Power was highly related (r = 0.99) with the time to complete the rowing distance, factors that reflect power might also be evaluated to confirm these findings. The time in the competition and time on the rowing ergometer were strongly related (r = 0.721). Excluding power in the regression analyses, oxygen consumption (VO2) and percentage lean body mass (%Lean) were identified as the significant (F=50.63, df=2,12, p <0.001) predictors of performance time. No other variables were selected in the regression equations. Conclusion: The rate of oxygen consumption and lean mass in adolescent rowers need to be considered in explaining performance. Level of Evidence III; Case Control Study.