Female Rowers Research Articles

The validity of using inertial measurement units to monitor the torso and pelvis sagittal plane motion of elite rowers

ABSTRACT In elite sport, inertial measurement units (IMUs) are being used increasingly to measure movement in-field. IMU data commonly sought are body segment angles as this gives insights into how technique can be altered to improve performance and reduce injury risk. The purpose of this was to assess the validity of IMU use in rowing and identify if IMUs are capable of detecting differences in sagittal torso and pelvis angles that result from changes in stroke rates. Eight elite female rowers participated. Four IMUs were positioned along the torso and over the pelvis of each athlete. Reflective markers surrounded each IMU which were used to compute gold-standard data. Maxima, minima, angle range and waveforms for ten strokes at rates of 20, 24, 28 and 32 strokes per minute were analysed. Root mean square errors as a percentage of angle range fell between 1.44% and 8.43%. In most cases when significant differences (p < 0.05) in the angles were detected between stroke rates, this was observed in both IMU and gold-standard angle data. These findings suggest that IMUs are valid for measuring torso and pelvis angles when rowing and are capable of detecting differences that result from changes in stroke rate.

An analysis of junior rower performance and how it is affected by rower's features

High-school student participation in rowing has increased over the last two decades. Due to the physical intensity of rowing, this sport may be expected to be male dominant while the female lightweight category may be expected to be non-competitive. Over the years, junior rowers may have become faster, and they may be expected to demonstrate their largest improvement by age 16. The purpose of this study was to test these expectations with hypothesis-driven experiments while presenting a glimpse into the world of high-school rowing by analyzing World Indoor Rowing Championship data. This dataset was obtained from ergometer machines used for rowing on land. The analysis showed that the participation of junior women has been exceeding the participation of junior men in the heavyweight class. We found that the key feature determining the performance of a rower is first sex and then weight class, but it is possible for a female rower to be faster than a male rower. Rowing has become more competitive in all categories except male heavyweight. We tested whether a junior rower achieves the largest ergometer time improvement by age 16 and accepted this hypothesis except for the female lightweight rowers. Additionally, for each category, we built the 2000-meter ergometer time distribution, which junior rowers can use to assess current performance and understand what they should achieve for top placement. Finally, we developed models predicting future ergometer times based on current performance, sex, weight class, and target percentile rank to guide junior rowers in their journey.

1,000-m Rowing Ergometer Time Trial Performance in Female and Male Collegiate Rowers

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time of covering a distance of 1000 m on a rowing ergometer by competitors of the Academic Sports Association of the Pomeranian Medical University and to relate the achieved results to the best results from the Polish Rowing Ergometer Academic Championships. Methods. 28 rowers were tested in the 1000 m "maximum" test (1000TM/t). In addition, correlations were sought between the time and power values obtained in the 1000 TM/t with the values of selected anthropometric indices (height and weight, body mass index BMI), hand grip strength, heart rate and body composition components (free fat mass FFM, skeletal muscle mass SMM). Results. The significant correlation between the time and power output in 1000TM/t and values of FFM, SMM, handgrip strength test as well as resting HR have been observed. Conclusion. The results obtained at 1000TM/t can be considered promising for the further training stage due to the fact that the study was conducted on a rowing ergometer under training conditions prior to a special training mesocycle shaping strength and speed, while the athletes competing at the event to which our results were related were in peak competitive performance.

Optimizing Pain Control and Function in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis by Choosing the Best Injection Site.

Two patients present to the sports medicine clinic with shoulder pain and limited range of motion. A 51-year-old healthy female rower presents 5 months after developing left shoulder pain. She had no specific inciting injury, although she increased overhead workouts with dumbbells prior to the onset

Training-Induced Muscle Adaptations During Competitive Preparation in Elite Female Rowers.

Training-induced adaptations in muscle morphology, including their magnitude and individual variation, remain relatively unknown in elite athletes. We reported changes in rowing performance and muscle morphology during the general and competitive preparation phases in elite rowers. Nineteen female rowers completed 8 weeks of general preparation, including concurrent endurance and high-load resistance training (HLRT). Seven rowers were monitored during a subsequent 16 weeks of competitive preparation, including concurrent endurance and resistance training with additional plyometric loading (APL). Vastus lateralis muscle volume, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), fascicle length, and pennation angle were measured using 3D ultrasonography. Rowing ergometer power output was measured as mean power in the final 4 minutes of an incremental test. Rowing ergometer power output improved during general preparation [+2 ± 2%, effect size (ES) = 0.22, P = 0.004], while fascicle length decreased (−5 ± 8%, ES = −0.47, P = 0.020). Rowing power output further improved during competitive preparation (+5 ± 3%, ES = 0.52, P = 0.010). Here, morphological adaptations were not significant, but demonstrated large ESs for fascicle length (+13 ± 19%, ES = 0.93), medium for pennation angle (−9 ± 15%, ES = −0.71), and small for muscle volume (+8 ± 13%, ES = 0.32). Importantly, rowers showed large individual differences in their training-induced muscle adaptations. In conclusion, vastus lateralis muscles of elite female athletes are highly adaptive to specific training stimuli, and adaptations largely differ between individual athletes. Therefore, coaches are encouraged to closely monitor their athletes' individual (muscle) adaptations to better evaluate the effectiveness of their training programs and finetune them to the athlete's individual needs.

The Sagittal Integral Morphotype in Male and Female Rowers.

The goal of this study was to describe the integrated spinal assessment of the sagittal morphotype in rowers to determine whether the intense practice of rowing causes a modification of the sagittal curvatures of the spine, its relationship with the rowing technique, and training background. The second goal was to analyse how the dorsal and lumbar curves behave in the three phases of the rowing gesture, and to determine which phases can be detrimental to the correct development of the spine during growth. We analysed the spine curvatures in the sagittal plane of 29 females and 82 males, which were measured with an inclinometer in standing, slump sitting, maximal trunk flexion and during rowing performance. The average value of thoracic kyphosis in the rowers was 30° (mean, 30 + 8.27°). Thoracic hyperkyphosis was found in only two rowers (1.8%). Lumbar lordosis was within normal range in 84.1% of the males (mean, 27 + 9.57°) and 75.9% of female rowers (mean, 33°). Functional thoracic hyperkyphosis was observed in 57.4% of the males and 17.1% of the females. Functional lumbar hyperkyphosis was observed in 28 of the 69 males (40.5%) and five of 22 females (17.2%). Rowing seems to provide adequate spine alignment in the sagittal plane on standing. The integrated spinal assessment of the sagittal morphotype showed that half or our rowers presented with functional thoracic hyperkyphosis, and 43.2% presented with functional lumbar hyperkyphosis. Spine behaviour during the rowing technique shows that the thoracic kyphosis (98.2%) and lumbar spine (91%) perform within normative ranges and could explain the adequate positioning of the spine in the sagittal plane on standing. Years of rowing training tend to reduce thoracic kyphosis in males.

Association between biological maturity, body constitution and physical fitness with performance on a rowing ergometer in elite youth female rowers

There is a gap in the literature regarding predictors of rowing performance in young rowers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate associations between parameters of biological maturity, body constitution and physical fitness with rowing performance in young female elite rowers. A total of 26 female rowers aged 13.1 ± 0.5 years (maturity offset: + 2.2 ± 0.5 years from peak height velocity; training volume: 10 hours/week) volunteered to participate in this study. During the performance tests in March 2016/2017, biological maturity (e. g. maturity offset), body constitution (e. g. body height/mass, lean body mass, body fat mass) and physical fitness were assessed. Physical fitness tests included the assessment of muscle strength (1-RM bench pull, leg press, maximal handgrip strength), muscle power (standing long jump test), muscular endurance (trunk muscle endurance test [Bourban test]), dynamic balance (Y-balance test) and change-of-direction speed (multistage shuttle run). Finally, rowing performance was analysed using a 700-m rowing ergometer test. A linear regression analysis was computed for the models (1) biological maturity, (2) biological maturity and body constitution, and (3) biologic maturity, body constitution, and physical fitness. The statistical analysis showed significant (p≤ 0.01) medium-to-large sized correlations (0.57 ≤r≤ 0.8) between biological maturity, body constitution (e. g. body height/mass, lean body mass) and physical fitness (e. g. 1-RM bench pull, maximal handgrip strength, Bourban test) with rowing performance. Model 3 with the predictors body constitution (i. e. lean mass) and muscular endurance (i. e. Bourban test) showed the largest explained variance for 700-m rowing ergometer performance (R² = 0.94, Akaike information criterion [AIC] = 82.1). Explained variance of model 3 was higher compared with model 1 (R² = 0.6, AIC = 131.5) and model 2 (R² = 0.63, AIC = 111.6). As a result of this study, coaches involved in junior rowing should focus on characteristics such as biological maturity, body constitution and physical fitness (muscle strength, muscular endurance) during talent development as these correlated highly with rowing ergometer performance.

Influence of upper limb training and analyzed muscles on estimate of physical activity during cereal grinding using saddle quern and rotary quern

Experimental grinding has been used to study the relationship between human humeral robusticity and cereal grinding in the early Holocene. However, such replication studies raise two questions regarding the robusticity of the results: whether female nonathletes used in previous research are sufficiently comparable to early agricultural females, and whether previous analysis of muscle activation of only four upper limb muscles is sufficient to capture the stress of cereal grinding on upper limb bones. We test the influence of both of these factors. Electromyographic activity of eight upper limb muscles was recorded during cereal grinding in an athletic sample of 10 female rowers and in 25 female nonathletes and analyzed using both an eight- and four-muscle model. Athletes had lower activation than nonathletes in the majority of measured muscles, but except for posterior deltoid these differences were non-significant. Furthermore, both athletes and nonathletes had lower muscle activation during saddle quern grinding than rotary quern grinding suggesting that the nonathletes can be used to model early agricultural females during saddle and rotary quern grinding. Similarly, in both eight- and four-muscle models, upper limb loading was lower during saddle quern grinding than during rotary quern grinding, suggesting that the upper limb muscles may be reduced to the previously used four-muscle model for evaluation of the upper limb loading during cereal grinding. Another implication of our measurements is to question the assumption that skeletal indicators of high involvement of the biceps brachii muscle can be interpreted as specifically indicative of saddle quern grinding.

Exercise Training Induces Left- but not Right-sided Cardiac Remodelling in Olympic Rowers.

Whilst the athlete's heart has been extensively described, less work has focused on the potential for elite athletes to demonstrate further cardiac remodelling upon an increase in training volume. Moreover, little work explored potential side-specific cardiac remodelling. Therefore, we examined the impact of an increase in training volume across 9-months in elite rowers on left- and right-sided cardiac structure, function and mechanics (i. e. longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain, twist and strain-volume loops). As part of the preparations to the 2012 Olympic Games, twenty-seven elite rowers (26.4±3.7years, 19 male) underwent echocardiography prior to and post (9 months) an increase in training volume (24 to 30-35 h weekly). Training increased left ventricular structure, including wall thickness, diameter, volume, mass and LV twist (all p<0.05). Female rowers demonstrated larger adaptation in left ventricular diameter and mass compared to male rowers (both p<0.05). No changes were observed in other measures of left ventricular function in both sexes (all p>0.05). The 9-month intervention showed no change in right ventricular/atrial structure, function or mechanics (all p>0.05). In conclusion, our data revealed that 9-month increased training volume in elite rowers induced left-sided (but not right-sided) structural remodelling, concomitant with an increase in left ventricular twist, with some changes larger in women.

Efficacy Of Anthropometric And Strength Measurements Prediction Of Performance In Collegiate Female Rowers

The ability to predict rowing performance at the collegiate level is a vital tool for coaches, however, identifying either a singular or collection of assessments that can reliably predict sports performance can be a challenging endeavor. Recent research has reported a positive correlation between height, body mass and muscle mass with two-kilometer (2 k) rowing ergometer performance in male rowers. Within female rowers, only muscle mass and maximum power in the bench pull positively correlated with 2 k rowing performance. PURPOSE: To determine the best predictive factors from assessment protocol including both anthropometrics and strength tests that can predict 2 k ergometer rowing performance in collegiate female rowers. METHODS: Nineteen Division 1 collegiate female rowers (20.2 ± 1.0 yrs) volunteered and granted informed consent. The following anthropometric measures were assessed: (1) height, (2) sitting height, (3) weight, (4) body mass index (BMI), (5) body composition (BodPod), (6) bilateral arm length, (7) wingspan, and (8) bilateral leg length. The following strength measures were assessed: (1) bilateral handgrip strength, (2) isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) max force measured via dual force plates (1000 Hz). Rowing performance was assessed via average power (Watts) using a maximum 2 k ergometer test. A multivariate regression analysis and subsequent backward selection was performed to find individual or grouping of factors that significantly explained the variance of 2 k rowing performance. Significance level was set at 0.05 apriori. RESULTS: The full battery of factors significantly predicted 2 k rowing performance (R2 = .94), however, no individual factor showed statistical significance (p-value range: 0.09-0.92) in explaining performance. Backwards stepwise removal revealed a significant effect of average grip strength (p < .05), fat free mass (p < .05) and a significant interaction effect (p < .05) (R2 = .43, p < .1) with rowing performance. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the ability of trainable and modifiable factors of grip strength and fat free mass to moderately predict rowing 2 k performance. Coaches and athletes would benefit from measuring and tracking both qualities over time.

Analysis of Anthropometric and Body Composition Profile in Male and Female Traditional Rowers.

The anthropometric profile has a fundamental role in rowing performance and young talent detection. The objective of this study was to analyze the anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype in traditional rowers, and to analyze which variables can be used as predictors of rowing performance. Twenty-four rowers competing at national level participated in this study, thirteen men and eleven women. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the height of male rowers (large effect size, d = 1.8) and in body mass (very large effect size, d = 2.4). Also, muscle mass reached a higher percentage in male rowers (d = 3.7), whereas the sum of seven skinfolds (d = 2.0) and body fat percentage (d = 2.0) reached higher values in female rowers, all their difference being significant (p < 0.001) with very large effect size. The somatotype of male rowers was ecto-mesomorph (1.8-4.5-3.0), and the somatotype of female rowers was in the balanced mesomorph (2.8-3.8-2.6). A very strong correlation between height (r = 0.75; p = 0.002) and rowing performance was found in male rowers. Body mass (r = 0.70; p = 0.009) and muscle mass (r = 0.83; p = 0.001) showed also very strong correlation in female rowers. Finally, height was the best predictor of performance for male rowers (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.003) and muscle mass for female rowers (R2 = 0.68, p < 0.002). The anthropometric profile of male and female traditional rowers showed differences to be considered in training programs and talent selection.

Olympic Rowing – Maximum Capacity over 2000 Meters

Olympic rowing in its current form is a high-intensity boat race covering a distance of 2000 m with fastest race times ranging ~5.5-7.5 min, depending on boat class, sex, and environmental factors. To realize such race times, rowers need strength and endurance, which is physiologically evident in an oxidative Adaption of the skeletal muscles, a high aerobic capacity, and the ability to contribute and sustain a relatively high percentage of anaerobic energy for several minutes. Anthropometrically, male and female rowers are characterized by relatively large body measurements. Biomechanics &amp; Physiology: The sitting position of the rower, the involvement of a large muscle mass and the structure of the rowing cycle, consisting of drive and recovery phase where the rower slides back and forth on a sliding seat, affect the cardiovascular and the respiratory system in a unique manner. In Addition to these physiological and anthropometric characteristics, this brief review outlines the extreme metabolic implications of the sport during racing and training and mentions rarely-discussed topics such as established testing procedures, summarizes data on training intensity distribution in elite rowing and includes a short section on heat stress during training and racing in hot and humid conditions expected for the Olympic Games 2021 in Tokyo.

Irisin, Fibroplast Growth Factor-21, and Follistatin Responses to Endurance Rowing Training Session in Female Rowers.

Purpose: This study examined selected myokine responses to an endurance rowing training session, and whether metabolic demands of the acute aerobic rowing exercise together with training volume, aerobic capacity, and body composition variables affect potential exercise-induced changes in the myokine levels in female rowers.Methods: Fifteen national level female rowers [18.3 ± 1.6 years; 172.0 ± 5.0 cm, 67.5 ± 8.8 kg; maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max): 47.2 ± 7.9 ml.min.−1 kg−1] performed a 1-h rowing ergometer exercise at the intensity of 70% of VO2max [distance: 12.1 ± 1.1 km; energy expenditure (EE): 639 ± 69 kcal; heart rate (HR): 151 ± 7 beats.min−1] followed by a 30-min recovery period. Venous blood samples were collected before and after exercise, and analyzed for irisin, fibroplast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), and follistatin conentrations.Results: Plasma irisin and FGF-21 concentrations were increased (by 8%; p = 0.013 and by 13%; p < 0.0001, respectively) immediately after the aerobic rowing exercise. Follistatin was significantly increased (by 11%; p = 0.001) only after the first 30 min of recovery. Exercise metabolic demand variables such as distance covered and total EE were correlated with the pre-to-post-exercise increases in FGF-21 concentrations (r = 0.52; p = 0.047 and r = 0.68; p = 0.005, respectively). Exercise-induced increases in irisin levels were related to aerobic capacity as measured by VO2max (r = 0.53; p = 0.041) and training stress as measured by weekly training volume (r = 0.54; p = 0.039) in female rowers.Conclusion: Acute negative energy balance induced by a single endurance rowing training session elicited significant increases in irisin, FGF-21, and follistatin levels in national level female rowers. While exercise-induced increases in FGF-21 levels were associated with exercise metabolic demand measures, exercise-induced increases in irisin concentrations were related to aerobic capacity and training stress measures in female rowers.

Editors' Note: Longitudinal Changes of Brain Microstructure and Function in Nonconcussed Female Rugby Players

Dr. Manning et al. found cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in the white matter diffusion measures and resting-state functional MRI network connectivity in 73 concussion-free female rugby players compared with 31 age-matched female swimmers and rowers. They concluded that longitudinal changes occur in the microstructure and function of the brain in otherwise healthy, asymptomatic athletes participating in contact sport and that further research is needed to understand the long-term brain health and biological implications of these changes. In response, Drs. Shahim and Diaz-Arrastia note that repetitive head impacts over decades have been associated with late-life dementia in previous studies of professional contact-sport athletes, but that it is less clear whether participation in such sports at the amateur level poses similar risks. They note that the finding of white matter microstructural disruption seen in the study by Dr. Manning et al. is also seen as a consequence of more severe traumatic brain injuries. While commending the longitudinal data provided by the study, they caution that imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging and rsfMRI may detect small degrees of disruption that are not functionally limiting and also have limited availability and cumbersome processing needs that preclude their use for routine assessment of athletes. They call for further studies of more inexpensive blood-based biomarkers and their correlation with imaging markers of axonal disruption after concussive and subconcussive head impacts. Responding to these comments, the authors agree that cognitive reserve in the individuals studies may be sufficiently high that they are functionally unaffected by the identified MRI markers of tissue and network disruption but argue that they may eventually affect the brain's response to other insults later in life. They agree that these MRI approaches are presently intended for research purposes. Noting that they have undertaken further work on blood-based markers on this cohort, they comment that metabolomic signatures may be more relevant than classical markers of injury while acknowledging the need for better correlation with imaging results and cognitive testing. This exchange underscores our evolving, but incomplete, understanding of the clinical significance of imaging and blood-based markers of axonal injury in otherwise healthy athletes engaged in contact sports. Dr. Manning et al. found cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in the white matter diffusion measures and resting-state functional MRI network connectivity in 73 concussion-free female rugby players compared with 31 age-matched female swimmers and rowers. They concluded that longitudinal changes occur in the microstructure and function of the brain in otherwise healthy, asymptomatic athletes participating in contact sport and that further research is needed to understand the long-term brain health and biological implications of these changes. In response, Drs. Shahim and Diaz-Arrastia note that repetitive head impacts over decades have been associated with late-life dementia in previous studies of professional contact-sport athletes, but that it is less clear whether participation in such sports at the amateur level poses similar risks. They note that the finding of white matter microstructural disruption seen in the study by Dr. Manning et al. is also seen as a consequence of more severe traumatic brain injuries. While commending the longitudinal data provided by the study, they caution that imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging and rsfMRI may detect small degrees of disruption that are not functionally limiting and also have limited availability and cumbersome processing needs that preclude their use for routine assessment of athletes. They call for further studies of more inexpensive blood-based biomarkers and their correlation with imaging markers of axonal disruption after concussive and subconcussive head impacts. Responding to these comments, the authors agree that cognitive reserve in the individuals studies may be sufficiently high that they are functionally unaffected by the identified MRI markers of tissue and network disruption but argue that they may eventually affect the brain's response to other insults later in life. They agree that these MRI approaches are presently intended for research purposes. Noting that they have undertaken further work on blood-based markers on this cohort, they comment that metabolomic signatures may be more relevant than classical markers of injury while acknowledging the need for better correlation with imaging results and cognitive testing. This exchange underscores our evolving, but incomplete, understanding of the clinical significance of imaging and blood-based markers of axonal injury in otherwise healthy athletes engaged in contact sports.

Utilizing a Novel 2D Image Processing System for Relating Body Composition Metrics to Performance in Collegiate Female Rowers.

The purpose of this study was to determine if rowing performance was associated with fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) measured using a novel 2D digital image analysis system. Nineteen female rowers (ages = 20.3 ± 1.0 years, weight = 73.8 ± 8.3 kg, height = 172.7 ± 4.7 cm) participated in this study. FM and FFM were estimated with a smartphone application that uses an automated 2D image analysis program. Rowing performance was measured using a 2 km (2k) timed trial on an indoor ergometer. The average speed of the timed trial was recorded in raw units (m·s−1) and adjusted for body weight (m·s−1·kg−1). FFM was significantly correlated to unadjusted 2k speed (r = 0.67, p < 0.05), but not for FM (r = 0.44, p > 0.05). When 2k speed was adjusted to account for body weight, significant correlations were found with FM (r = −0.56, p < 0.05), but not FFM (r = −0.34, p > 0.05). These data indicate that both FM and FFM are related to rowing performance in female athletes, but the significance of the relationships is dependent on overall body mass. In addition, the novel 2D imaging system appears to be a suitable field technique when relating body composition to rowing performance.

Intra-trunk and arm coordination displayed by Olympic rowing athletes

ABSTRACT The purpose was to assess the intra-trunk and arm coordination of Olympic athletes during rowing on an ergometer. Rowing was performed at three stroke rates (18, 26, and 32 strokes/min). The sagittal plane motions of trunk segments and upper arm were collected for 59 Olympic athletes (32 females and 27 males) from the Chinese National Rowing Team. The coupling angles between the three pairs of segments (lumbar-pelvis, thorax-lumbar, upper arm-thorax) were generated using a vector coding method. The coupling angles were classified: in-phase, anti-phase, superior-phase, and inferior-phase. Three-way, mixed-model ANOVA were used to test the time spent in each coordination pattern. The trunk segments and upper arms demonstrated an in-phase coordination pattern for most of the time. During the drive phase, the time spent in in-phase was increased at higher stroke rates. Athletes are encouraged to use this in-phase pattern, especially between the pelvis and lumbar spine during training with high demands of stroke repetitions or time. During the recovery phase, the trunk segments were rotating mostly in-phase whereas the upper arm was flexing dominantly to maintain stroke length at higher stroke rates. Female and male rowers exhibited similar intra-trunk coordination patterns except for the upper arm-thorax pair.

Heart-Rate Variability Recording Time and Performance in Collegiate Female Rowers.

To assess the agreement of the root mean square of successive R-R interval (RMSSD) values when recorded immediately upon waking to values recorded later in the morning prior to practice, and to determine the associations of the RMSSD recordings with performance outcomes in female rowers. A total of 31 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I rowers were monitored for 6 consecutive days. Two seated RMSSD measurements were obtained on at least 3 mornings using a smartphone-based photoplethysmography application. Each 1-minute RMSSD measure was recorded following a 1-minute stabilization period. The first (T1) measurement occurred at the athlete's home following waking, while the second (T2) transpired upon arrival at the team's boathouse immediately before practice. From the measures, the RMSSD mean and coefficient of variation were calculated. Two objective performance assessments were conducted on an indoor rowing ergometer on separate days: 2000-m time trial and distance covered in 30minutes. Interteam rank was determined by the coaches, based on subjective and objective performance markers. The RMSSD mean (intraclass correlation coefficient = .82; 95% CI,.63 to .92) and RMSSD coefficient of variation (intraclass correlation coefficient = .75; 95% CI,.48 to .88) were strongly correlated at T1 and T2, P < .001. The RMSSD mean at T1 and T2 was moderately associated with athlete rank (r = -.55 and r = -.46, respectively), 30-minute distance (r = .40 and r = .41, respectively), and 2000m at T1 (r = -.37), P < .05. No significant correlations were observed for the RMSSD coefficient of variation. Ultrashort RMSSD measurements taken immediately upon waking show very strong agreement with those taken later in the morning, at the practice facility. Future research should more thoroughly investigate the relationship between specific performance indices and the RMSSD mean and coefficient of variation for female collegiate rowers.

Transitioning Concussion Care to Mental Health Care: A Case Study of an Elite Athlete

Athletes with recent concussion experience a constellation of physical (e.g., headache, nausea), cognitive (e.g., memory problems, difficulty concentrating), sleep, and emotional (e.g., anxiety, depressed mood) symptoms after injury. Mental health changes may also be a product of typical maturation in adolescents/young adults, making mood disruption difficult to disentangle from concussion sequelae. In this case study, we present the case of a high-achieving 18-year-old female rower whose concussion clinical trajectory exhibits this type of difficulty. Specifically, we provide a detailed chronological summary of the athlete’s visits with a multidisciplinary concussion team. We highlight in this case study (a) an individualized, biopsychosocial model of concussion care and (b) subtle aspects of her clinical presentation that led the clinical team to transition her treatment focus from concussion specific to formal mental health care.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NATIONAL EVALUATION SYSTEM AND THE PERFORMANCE OF BRAZILIAN ROWERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: The National Rower Evaluation System [Sistema Nacional de Avaliação do Remador] (SNAR), adopted by the Brazilian Rowing Confederation, aims to establish a national ranking, and is a prerequisite to participation in National Championships and Selective Games, in its different categories, as well as for joining the Brazilian Rowing Team. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship and the prediction of the SNAR results with competitors’ times in a Brazilian Rowing Championship (CBR). Methods: The investigation involved 11 female rowers (18.00 ± 0.89 years) and 16 male rowers (18.18 ± 0.91 years), participants in a CBR, in the junior category. The research was qualitative, with content analysis of the data available on the Confederation's website. Results: In the junior female category, of the ten variables studied, three showed a correlation r≥0.50; in the junior male category, nine showed a correlation r≥0.50. The multiple linear regression equation, with all the variables studied, showed R2 = 0.86 and SEE = 5.30, in the female category; and R2 = 0.90 and SEE = 3.56, in the male category. Conclusion: Based on our results, the tests indicated by SNAR can be an important source of information, offering significant support for managers, athletes and coaching staff, for use in performance diagnosis and in particular, competition prognosis. It can also be used to adapt training schedule where necessary. Level of evidence I; Diagnostic studies-Investigation of a diagnostic test.

Heart Rate Variability Responses to a Training Cycle in Female Youth Rowers.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reputable estimate of cardiac autonomic function used across multiple athletic populations to document the cardiac autonomic responses to sport demands. However, there is a knowledge gap of HRV responses in female youth rowers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to measure HRV weekly, over a 15-week training period, covering pre-season and up to competition in youth female rowers, in order to understand the physiological response to long-term training and discern how fluctuations in HRV may relate to performance in this population. Measures of heart rate and heart rate variability were recorded before training each Friday over the monitoring period in seven athletes. Analysis of heart rate variability focused on time domain indices, the standard deviation of all normal to normal R–R wave intervals, and the root mean square of successive differences as markers of cardiac parasympathetic modulation. Training load was quantified by multiplying the rating of perceived exertion of the weeks training and training duration. A decrease was identified in cardiac parasympathetic modulation as the season progressed (Effect Size (Cohen’s d) = −0.34 to −0.8, weeks 6 and 11–15), despite no significant relationship between training load and heart rate variability. Factors outside of training may further compound the reduction in heart rate variability, with further monitoring of external stressors (e.g., school) in adolescent athletes.