Abstract
This study investigated time-courses of physiological and psychological parameters of rowers during the first 1,500 m of a simulated race on a rowing ergometer using different pacing strategies. This provided a picture of the physiological and psychological state of the rowers at the start of the last 500 m of their race. Investigated strategies corresponded either to a degressive (degr), a progressive (prog), or a stable (stab) power output over the traveled distance. Thirteen French rowers (4 oarswomen and 9 oarsmen) of national and ex-international levels volunteered to participate. Handle force and velocity, oxygen uptake, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and peripheral oxygen saturation were measured during the trials. Power output, generated energy [by O2 consumption (Eoxi) and blood lactate accumulation (Enon−oxi)] and efficiency were computed. Rowers also rated their perceived exertion (RPE) and protocol preference. In the explored strategies, no significant differences were found for Eoxi. Final blood lactate concentration ([La]blood) and RPE were similar for all strategies. However, the increase in [La]blood and RPE occurred sooner for degr than for stab and prog. Therefore, the time spent at higher [La]blood and RPE was longer for degr than for stab and prog. According to the questionnaire, degr was the least preferred protocol. While during 2000 m races, the first 1500 m are usually and empirically often conducted in a degr way, the present results indicate that this strategy was the least preferred by the rowers and led to a higher time spent at high [La]blood and RPE.
Highlights
The Olympic distance of rowing races is 2,000 m
The three strategies used in the present study were equivalent in terms of performance, meaning that power output, time to travel the distance and work were similar in the three conditions
Time-courses of several parameters were different between trials so that Ppeak was lower and [La]blood and rated their perceived exertion (RPE) were higher in degr compared to stab and prog during and after the second 500 m
Summary
The Olympic distance of rowing races is 2,000 m. The races typically last between 5’30” and 7’30” according to the boat, sex, and weight category of the rowers (World Rowing - 2020 Olympic Games Regatta, 2021). Rowers use all available energetic pathways to fulfill the huge energy requirement of this type of event. Elevated oxygen uptake and blood lactate accumulation have been observed during and in response to rowing races (Hagerman et al, 1978; Secher, 1993; Steinacker, 1993; de Campos Mello et al, 2009). Previous studies have shown that 70–85% and 15–30% of energy demand are provided by the oxidative and non-oxidative pathways, respectively, (Hagerman et al, 1978; Roth, 1983; Messonnier et al, 1997; Russell et al, 1998; de Campos Mello et al, 2009).
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