Male Rowers Research Articles

Trunk Muscle Endurance Tests: Effect of Trunk Posture on Test Outcome

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different trunk postures during the abdominal flexor test on isometric endurance holding times and surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of contributing trunk flexor and extensor muscles in 16 healthy college-age male rowers (age, 22.0 ± 1.55 years; height, 179.1 ± 5.47 cm; weight, 68.0 ± 4.18 kg) with a minimum of 12 months rowing experience. Subjects performed 2 maximal effort abdominal flexor tests, 1 held with correct posture and the other with a slightly flexed incorrect trunk posture. Maximum holding time was assessed for each posture while EMG muscle activity was recorded for the external oblique, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, rectus femoris, and lumbar erector spinae muscles. Mean maximal holding time for the incorrectly positioned abdominal flexor test was significantly longer than for the correct position (p < 0.05). EMG activity during the first and last 20% of a time normalized comparison showed significantly lower muscle activity during the incorrect trunk posture in all muscles investigated (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in muscle activity when comparing an equivalent time period at the actual termination of each of the 2 abdominal flexor tests. Although minor variations in trunk posture seem to be acceptable in practice of this isometric abdominal flexor test, the present data indicate that minor lumbar kyphosis deviating away from the correct abdominal flexor test posture can significantly skew test reliability, resulting in longer endurance holding times and relatively lower muscle activity of the trunk muscles.

Effects of a carbohydrate solution on technique during prolonged rowing

Rowing is an endurance sport with an important skill component. This study evaluated the effects of carbohydrate (CHO) solution ingestion on rowing technique before and after 60 min of ergometer rowing. On two occasions, eight male rowers (age 22±2 years, height 182±4 cm, weight 72.9±2.1 kg, VO2max4.9±0.2 litre/min) rowed as a group in an indoor rowing tank for 6 min at 18 strokes per minute before and after 60 min of ergometer rowing at 60% of VO2max. Participants ingested either a 6% CHO solution or a flavoured placebo (PLA) in a randomised, counterbalanced fashion. Physiological and technical measures were analysed using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Oar handle curves were analysed using Geometric Morphometrics (principal component analysis). There were no differences in heart rate or rating of perceived exertion between the treatments, indicating similar physiological strain. There were no changes in stroke length over the 60-min period with either treatment. Oar handle velocity decreased from 49.7±3.6 to 47.4±2.8°/s (p&lt;0.05) over the 60-min period in PLA but did not change in CHO (48.9±2.2-48.2±1.9°/s). Oar handle curves did not differ between CHO and PLA (procrustes distance=0.645). Maximum blade depth declined similarly by 20±16% in both CHO and PLA (p&lt;0.01). This change is likely to decrease the resistance of the water upon the oar blade during the drive phase of the rowing stroke. In conclusion, selected measures of rowing tank technique deteriorated in response to 60 min of ergometer rowing in both PLA and CHO. Ingestion of CHO may help to maintain velocity of movement as rowers fatigue. Future research should investigate technique during on-water rowing to evaluate the effects of fatigue and CHO ingestion on rowing technique in the natural competitive environment.

Reliability and discriminative ability of a modified Wingate rowing test in 12- to 18-year-old rowers

We evaluated (1) the test–retest reliability of the Wingate test conducted on a rowing ergometer, and (2) the sensitivity of this test in determining the differences in performance attained by 12- to 18-year-old rowers. Altogether, 297 male rowers aged 12.0–18.9 years (mean ± s: 14.8 ± 1.7) completed a maximal 30-s test on a rowing ergometer, and 80 rowers representing all age groups were retested after 5–7 days. No change was evident in participants' performance in terms of mean power output (P = 0.726; Cohen's d = 0.04), maximal power output (P = 0.567; Cohen's d = 0.06), and minimum power output (P = 0.318; Cohen's d = 0.11) in the second test. The intra-class correlation coefficients were high (≥0.973) and coefficients of variation were low (≤7.3%). A series of analyses of variance were used to compare the performances among 12- to 18-year-old rowers, and age-related increases in performance were evident (P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.91–1.96). The age-related increases in performance were similar, although reduced, when the effects of body mass were partitioned out when using analysis of covariance (P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.82–0.85). The results suggest that: (1) the described test is reliable and can be used for maximal-intensity exercise assessment in youth rowing, and (2) it discriminates performance among 12- to-18-year-old rowers.

Isokinetic Strength and Joint Mobility Asymmetries in Oarside Experienced Oarsmen

The purpose of the present study was to investigate oarside and nonoarside lower extremity asymmetries in isokinetic strength and joint mobility of port and starboard oarsmen. Peak torques of right and left extensors and flexors were measured on isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60 and 180°·s-1 in 12 starboard (n = 12; training age 5.55 ± 0.52 years) and 14 port (n = 14; training age 6.09 ± 0.95 years) well-trained male rowers. Mobility of the hip, knee, and ankle joints was measured using the Myrin flexometer, a modification of the Leighton flexometer. The findings indicate that ports had a significantly higher peak torque in oarside right knee extensors at 60°·s-1 (p < 0.001) and 180°·s-1 (p < 0.01) compared to in the nonoarside left knee extensors. In a respective manner, starboards had a higher peak torque in left knee extensors at 60°·s-1 (p < 0.05) and 180°·s-1 (p < 0.05) compared to the right side. Right flexors peak torque was significantly higher in ports compared to that in starboards at 60°·s-1 (p < 0.05) and 180°·s-1 (p < 0.01). No significant difference between port and starboards in left knee flexors at either angular velocity was found. Both port and starboards exhibited a significantly higher hip (p < 0.01) mobility in oarside compared to in nonoarside. We conclude that sweep rowers develop a significantly higher flexion knee peak torque and hip mobility depending on oarside. Strength and mobility abnormalities may provide information for training and rehabilitation. Strengthening and stretching training programs to compensate for potential strength and mobility imbalance and thereby reducing the occurrence of injuries may be designed.

The Impact of Endurance Exercise Training on Left Ventricular Torsion

We sought to examine the effect of endurance exercise training (EET) on peak systolic left ventricular torsion (LVT) and peak early diastolic untwisting rate (UTR). Left ventricular (LV) structural adaptations to EET have been well characterized. LVT, a recognized marker of LV function in numerous cardiac diseases, has recently been investigated in the setting of exercise. However, longitudinal data characterizing the impact of sustained exercise training on LVT have not been reported. A prospective, longitudinal study design examined the impact of a 90-day period of training on LV twist mechanics in university male rowers (n = 15, mean age 18.6 ± 0.5 years). Conventional LV structural measurements, LV apical and basal rotation, peak systolic LVT, and peak early diastolic UTR were measured by 2-dimensional and speckle tracking echocardiography before and after the EET study period. Participants experienced LV eccentric hypertrophy, characterized by increased LV end-diastolic volume (80.8 ± 8.7 ml/m(2) vs. 91.3 ± 8.0 ml/m(2), p < 0.001) and LV mass (101.3 ± 11.4 g/m(2) vs. 115.7 ± 12.6 g/m(2), p = 0.001). There was a significant increase in peak systolic apical rotation (8.9 ± 4.2° vs. 12.7 ± 3.9°, p = 0.002) but no change in basal rotation. This translated into a highly significant increase in peak systolic LVT after EET (14.1 ± 5.0° vs. 18.0 ± 3.6°, p = 0.002). The impact of EET on LV twist mechanics was not confined to ventricular systole, as peak early diastolic UTR (-110.6 ± 41.8°/s vs. -148.0 ± 29.8°/s, p = 0.003) and the percentage of untwisting that occurred by the end of isovolumic relaxation (31.2 ± 12.0% vs. 39.9 ± 14.9%, p = 0.04) increased. Participation in EET was associated with significant changes in LV twist mechanics characterized by increased apical rotation, LVT, and UTR. These findings suggest that LVT and UTR augmentation may be an important and previously unrecognized component of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling.

Physiological Responses to Ergometer and On-Water Incremental Rowing Tests

This study evaluated the validity of ergometer tests against the criterion of on-water rowing and determined the reliability of field measurements by comparing results between ergometer (ERG) and on-water (OW) tests. Seven male rowers completed incremental tests on a Concept2 rowing ergometer and in a single scull. Average power output, oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa) and distance completed were measured during each ERG and OW workload. DATA TREATMENT: Linear regression between power output and HR, BLa, VO2 and distance allowed submaximal results to be compared between ERG and OW tests at equivalent intensities based on five standard power outputs. Submaximal results were analyzed using repeated measure factorial ANOVAs and maximal data used dependent t tests (P < .05), the magnitude of differences were also classified using effect size analyses. The reliability of repeated measurements was established using Typical Error. Differences between ERG and OW submaximal results were not statistically significant for power output, HR, BLa, and VO2, but distance completed (P < .001) was higher during the ERG test. However, the magnitude of physiological response differences between the ERG and OW tests varied between individuals. Mean HR at anaerobic threshold showed good agreement between both tests (r = .81), but the standard error of the estimate was 9 beats per minute. Individual variation in physiological response differences between ERG and OW tests meant that training intensity recommendations from the ERG test were not applicable to on-water training for some rowers, but provided appropriate prescriptions for most athletes.

Development of aerobic and anaerobic power in adolescent rowers: a 5‐year follow‐up study

We aimed to determine whether the physical and physiological superiority of early-maturing rowing athletes, observed at ages 12-13 years, over that of their late-maturing counterparts observed at the same ages, still persists at 17-18 years of age, when all adolescent athletes are expected to have completed pubertal development. We hypothesized that this superiority of early maturers would not be observed at reassessment, as late maturers would have likely "caught up" with their early-maturing peers. Twenty-one male rowers were assessed at age 12.8 ± 0.5 years and again at 17.5 ± 0.5 years (mean ± SD). They were divided into groups of early-maturing and late-maturing rowing athletes based on Tanner's sexual maturity ratings. A two-way repeated-measures MANOVA followed by a series of ANOVAs with one within-subject factor (time) and one between-subject factor (group) indicated significant (P≤0.003) within-subject and between-subjects main effects for lean body mass (LBM), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and mean power (MP). The group × time interaction effects were significant for LBM (P=0.003), VO2max (P=0.004), but not for MP (P=0.171). Over 5 years, early-maturers' advantage dwindled in terms of LBM (+38% to +9%), VO2max (+47% to +9%), and MP (+76% to +15%); however, these differences may still be considered practically relevant. The proposed hypothesis was not supported.

Glycaemic, insulinaemic, and immune responses to commercially available beverages consumed during recovery from rowing training

The consumption of carbohydrate and protein after exercise improves muscle glycogen synthesis and attenuates the decrease in immune function seen with endurance-type exercise. However, the impact of consuming commercially available beverages on glycaemic, insulinaemic, and immune responses during recovery from rowing training has not been investigated. Twenty-one male and female rowers completed four trials in a randomized order. Commercially available beverages were consumed in volumes providing 1.2 g carbohydrate · kg−1 body mass, upon completion of ~90 min of rowing at 60–70% maximum oxygen uptake, interspersed with up to five 5-min intervals at or above race pace. Blood samples were taken before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after consumption of the beverages for analysis of insulin and glucose and at 90 and 360 min for the analysis of cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The high-carbohydrate sports beverage and the meal replacement beverage produced a significantly larger (P<0.05) glucose incremental area under the curve than the sports-specific meal replacement beverage or the flavoured milk beverage. The high-carbohydrate sports beverage and the sports-specific meal replacement beverage produced a significantly lower (P<0.05) insulin incremental area under the curve than the meal replacement beverage or the flavoured milk beverage. The meal replacement beverage produced both a high glycaemic and insulinaemic response, suggesting that it may produce a higher rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis. There was a significant interaction between time and beverage for IL-6 (P=0.001), but not for cortisol (P=0.779). These results indicate that the impact of post-exercise nutrition on immune response may not be exclusively mediated by an attenuation of the cortisol response.

The influence of stretcher height on posture in ergometer rowing

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect on rower posture of raising the stretchers. Nine male university rowers completed a single 30-s trial at each of three stretcher heights on an ergometer, at 30 strokes min−1. The first ten strokes with complete data were averaged and data for four time points during the stroke extracted: catch, mid-drive, finish, and mid-recovery. Ankle angle was shown to increase significantly at all points during the stroke (P<0.01) as the stretchers were raised. Knee angle was only significantly increased into a more extended posture at mid-drive (P<0.05) and mid-recovery (P<0.01) for the higher stretcher positions, hip angle was significantly reduced into a more flexed posture at the catch (P<0.05) and at mid-recovery (P<0.05), and the trunk was significantly extended at the catch (P<0.01), finish (P<0.01), and mid-recovery (P<0.05) as the stretchers were raised. Our results show that the increase in stretcher height caused the rower's body to rotate posteriorly in the sagittal plane. This we suggest reduced the vertical component of stretcher force, thus achieving a more mechanically effective position, which could have led to the slower rate of fatigue reported previously for the two raised stretcher positions (Caplan & Gardner, 2005). The increased flexion of the hip should not be ignored, however, as this may lead to overstretching of the hip extensors if the stretchers are raised too high. Further research is required to determine the extent to which the stretchers can be raised in on-water rowing.

Concurrent Endurance and Strength Training Not to Failure Optimizes Performance Gains

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of 8 wk of resistance training to failure versus not to failure training regimens at both moderate and low volumes for increasing upper-body strength and power as well as cardiovascular parameters into a combined resistance and endurance periodized training scheme. Forty-three trained male rowers were matched and then randomly assigned to four groups that performed the same endurance training but differed on their resistance training regimen: four exercises leading to repetition failure (4RF; n = 14), four exercises not leading to failure (4NRF; n = 15), two exercises not to failure (2NRF; n = 6), and control group (C; n = 8). One-repetition maximum strength and maximal muscle power output during prone bench pull (BP), average power during a 20-min all-out row test (W 20 min), average row power output eliciting a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x L(-1) (W 4 mmol x L(-1)), and power output in 10 maximal strokes (W 10 strokes) were assessed before and after 8 wk of periodized training. 4NRF group experienced larger gains in one- repetition maximum strength and muscle power output (4.6% and 6.4%, respectively) in BP compared with both 4RF (2.1% and j1.2%) and 2NRF (0.6% and -0.6%). 4NRF and 2NRF groups experienced larger gains in W 10 strokes (3.6% and 5%) and in W 20 min (7.6% and 9%) compared with those found after 4RF (-0.1% and 4.6%), whereas no significant differences between groups were observed in the magnitude of changes in W 4 mmol x L(-1) (4NRF = 6.2%, 4RF = 5.3%, 2NRF = 6.8%, and C = 4.5%). An 8-wk linear periodized concurrent strength and endurance training program using a moderate number of repetitions not to failure (4NRF group) provides a favorable environment for achieving greater enhancements in strength, muscle power, and rowing performance when compared with higher training volumes of repetitions to failure in experienced highly trained rowers.

Non-invasive Indices for the Estimation of the Anaerobic Threshold of Oarsmen

This study compared four common non-invasive indices with an invasive index for determining the anaerobic threshold (AT) in 22 adult male rowers using a Concept2 rowing ergometer. A criterion-standard progressive incremental test (invasive method) measured blood lactate concentrations to determine the 4 mmol/l threshold (La4-AT) and Dmax AT (Dm-AT). This was compared with three indices obtained by analysis of respiratory gases and one that was based on the heart rate (HR) deflection point (HRDP) all of which used the Conconi test (non-invasive methods). In the Conconi test, the HRDP was determined whilst continuously increasing the power output (PO) by 25 W/min and measuring respiratory gases and HR. The La4-AT and Dm-AT values differed slightly with respect to oxygen uptake, PO and HR however, AT values significantly correlated with each other and with the four non-invasive methods. In conclusion, the non-invasive indices were comparable with the invasive index and could, therefore, be used in the assessment of AT during rowing ergometer use. In this population of elite rowers, Conconi threshold (Con-AT), based on the measurement of HRDP tended to be the most adequate way of estimating AT for training regulation purposes.

Is the Response Capacity of Rapid Vasodilation Mechanism(s) at Exercise Onset Sensitive to Exercise Training?

Resistance vessels in skeletal muscle dilate with the first contraction of exercise. This dilation is proportional to contraction intensity. Whether the mechanism(s) responsible for this immediate, rapid vasodilation can be modified with exercise training is unknown. PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that the immediate and peak forearm vasodilatory response to a single, brief forearm contraction would be higher in arm + leg trained athletes vs. leg trained athletes. METHODS: 8 male distance runners and 9 male rowers were recruited from the Queen's University varsity teams. Varsity runners served as a control for whole body training status. Subjects lay supine with the arm extended laterally at heart level and performed single, 1 s isometric handgrip contractions at each of 5 kg, 15 kg, 25 kg and 35 kg contraction force. 3 trials per contraction force were averaged for each subject. Order of contraction force was counterbalanced across subjects. Beat by beat measures of brachial artery forearm blood flow (FBF; Doppler and Echo ultrasound) mean arterial blood pressure (MAP; finger photoplethysmography) and heart rate (HR; ECG) were made at baseline and for 1 min following each contraction. RESULTS: Data are mean ±SE. MAP was not different between groups. Therefore, increases in FBF (DFBF) from rest were representative of the vasodilatory response to contractions. DFBF (ml/min) in the first cardiac cycle post-contraction was not different between groups at 5 kg (P=0.275) or 35 kg (P=0.332), but was significantly elevated in rowers at 15 kg (118 ±19 vs. 84 ±9, P=0.013) and 25 kg (176 ±17 vs. 130 ±13, P=0.038). Peak DFBF (∼3rd - 4th cardiac cycle following contraction) was not different at 5 kg (P=0.967). It was elevated in rowers at 15 kg (183 ±18 vs. 112 ±11, P=0.015), 25 kg (266 ±23 vs. 193 ±21, P=0.005) and 35 kg (333 ±32 vs. 256 ±27, P<0.001). The slope of the peak FBF response vs. contraction force was significantly steeper in rowers than runners (8.6 ±0.9 vs. 5.5 ±0.8 ml/min/kg, P=0.02) CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that rapid vasodilatory mechanisms responsible for the onset of exercise hyperemia can be improved with exercise training. This effect can be achieved in young, healthy males and is independent of whole body training status. The stimulus for this adaptation appears to be local to the trained muscle.

The Effects of Concurrent Endurance and Resistance Training on 2,000-m Rowing Ergometer Times in Collegiate Male Rowers

The current study evaluated if high rep, low rep, or no weight training at all would be best suited for decreasing 2,000-m rowing ergometer times in male varsity rowers. Subjects (n = 18) were rowers from Grand Valley State University who were randomly and equally assigned to 1 of 3 groups: control (CON), high-load low repetitions (HLLR), and low-load high repetitions (LLHR). The weight training groups resistance trained and rowed twice a week, whereas the control group only rowed twice a week. Each group performed the training study workouts (weight training and rowing) along with their daily prescribed varsity practices. The subjects performed both pre and post 2,000-m ergometer tests on concept 2 indoor rowers to evaluate the effects of each training protocol. Paired t-tests revealed statistically significant decreases in 2,000-m times from pre to posttesting for all groups (p < 0.05), whereas a 1-way analysis of variance with repeated measures did not reveal a statistically significant difference (p < 0.96) between the 3 groups (Delta CON: -2.8%, Delta LLHR: -3.1%, and Delta HLLR: -3.5%). However, a trend existed in the hypothesized direction, as the HLLR illustrated the greatest decrease in mean rowing time (CON: 11 seconds, LLHR: 12 seconds, and HLLR: 15 seconds). Overall, the current study demonstrates that although weight training does not create a statistically significant short-term training effect on rowing performance, the profound decreases in 2,000-m times seen in this study may be of practical significance for the oarsman.

Are There Useful Physiological or Psychological Markers for Monitoring Overload Training in Elite Athletes?

There is a need for markers of an athlete's training status that would help determine when the training load is either insufficient or excessive. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between changes in performance and changes in physiological and psychological markers during and following a period of overload training in 10 female and 10 male elite rowers preparing for a world championship. METHODS: Performance was assessed with a rowing ergometer as mean power in a 30-min time trial and as power at a blood-lactate concentration of 4-mmol.L-1 in an incremental test. The time-trial provided changes in performance during the 4 weeks of overload, while the incremental test was undertaken at the beginning of the study and following a one-week taper after the overload. The following markers were assayed throughout the overload: mood state, sleep quality, perception of fatigue, and concentrations of cortisol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, 14 cytokines and C reactive protein in saliva and/or plasma. Plots of change in performance versus the 4-week change in each marker were examined for evidence of an inverted-U relationship that would characterise under- and over-training. Simple linear modelling was also used to estimate the effect of changes in the marker on changes in performance. RESULTS: Evidence of an inverted-U was apparent only for performance in the incremental test versus some plasma cytokines, and the relationship arose only because of relative underperformance of one rower who later excelled in competitions. Many changes considered to predict over-training (e.g., worsening mood, decreasing morning testosterone, increasing inflammation) actually had small to large positive linear relationships with performance. CONCLUSION: The markers investigated in this study were not useful for identifying excessive training in elite rowers but could indicate the need for an increase in training load.

Trunk Rotation Range of Motion, Core Strength, and Back Pain in Collegiate Male Rowers

Trunk Rotation Range of Motion, Core Strength, and Back Pain in Collegiate Male Rowers

The Effects of Concurrent Endurance and Resistance Training on 2,000 Meter Rowing Ergometer Times in Collegiate Male Rowers

The Effects of Concurrent Endurance and Resistance Training on 2,000 Meter Rowing Ergometer Times in Collegiate Male Rowers

Relationship Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Self-Report Measures of Training Overload

It has been purported that inflammatory cytokines may be responsible for the aetiology of overtraining. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported measures of overtraining and inflammatory cytokines. Eight elite male rowers were monitored in their natural training environment for 8 weeks prior to the 2007 Rowing World Championships. During this period of intense endurance training, self-report measures of overtraining and inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α) were assessed fortnightly. Consistent with previous findings, proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly associated (p ≤ 0.05) with measures of depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and stress. Similarly, IL-6 was significantly associated (p ≤ 0.01) with measures of depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. These results are consistent with previous hypotheses describing how overtraining may be caused by excessive cytokine release, and lend further support for a cytokine hypothesis of overtraining.

Dose Response of Caffeine on 2000-m Rowing Performance

To determine whether a dose-response relationship exists between caffeine and 2000-m rowing performance. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study, 10 competitive male rowers (mean +/- SD: age = 20.6 +/- 1.4 yr, body mass = 87.7 +/- 10.5 kg, height = 186.8 +/- 6.8 cm, (.)VO2peak = 5.1 +/- 0.6 L x min(-1)) consumed 2, 4, or 6 mg x kg(-1) caffeine or a placebo 60 min before completing a 2000-m time trial on a rowing ergometer. The trials were preceded by a 24-h standardized diet (including a light preexercise meal of 2 g x kg(-1) CHO), and subjects were tested preexercise for hydration, caffeine abstinence, and blood glucose concentrations. Time trial performance was not significantly different across the three caffeine doses or placebo (P = 0.249). After the three caffeine trials, postexercise plasma glucose and lactate concentrations were higher compared with the placebo trial (P < 0.05). Plasma caffeine concentrations after 60 min of ingestion were lower than the values reported previously by others following the same dose, and there was considerable interindividual variation in plasma caffeine concentrations in response to the various caffeine doses. The large interindividual response to the caffeine doses suggests that individual characteristics need to be considered when administering caffeine for performance enhancement. In addition, preexercise feeding may significantly affect plasma caffeine concentrations and the potential for caffeine to improve performance.

Scaling concept II rowing ergometer performance for differences in body mass to better reflect rowing in water

We investigated whether the concept II indoor rowing ergometer accurately reflects rowing on water. Forty-nine junior elite male rowers from a Great Britain training camp completed a 2000 m concept II model C indoor rowing ergometer test and a water-based 2000 m single-scull rowing test. Rowing speed in water (3.66 m/s) was significantly slower than laboratory-based rowing performance (4.96 m/s). The relationship between the two rowing performances was found to be R2=28.9% (r=0.538). We identified that body mass (m) made a positive contribution to concept II rowing ergometer performance (r=0.68, P<0.001) but only a small, non-significant contribution to single-scull water rowing performance (r=0.039, P=0.79). The contribution that m made to single-scull rowing in addition to ergometer rowing speed (using allometric modeling) was found to be negative (P<0.001), confirming that m has a significant drag effect on water rowing speed. The optimal allometric model to predict single-scull rowing speed was the ratio (ergometer speed xm(-0.23))1.87 that increased R2 from 28.2% to 59.2%. Simply by dividing the concept II rowing ergometer speed by body mass (m0.23), the resulting "power-to-weight" ratio (ergometer speed xm(-0.23)) improves the ability of the concept II rowing performance to reflect rowing on water.

Elderly oarsmen have larger trunk and thigh muscles and greater strength than age-matched untrained men

To evaluate whether regularly performed rowing exercise affects the trunk muscles size and function, and to examine the effect of rowing exercise on thigh muscle size and function in elderly rowers, we compared the cross-sectional area (CSA) and strength of these muscles in elderly male rowers and in age-matched untrained men. Participants were 16 elderly rowing-trained men (ROW age, 67.8 +/- 2.3 years) and 18 elderly untrained men (CON 66.2 +/- 3.0 years). CSA was measured by MRI in the trunk and thigh muscles. Isometric trunk flexion force and leg extension power were measured. ROW had a 20% larger total trunk muscle CSA than CON (P < 0.01); rectus abdominis was 27% larger, psoas major 64% larger, and erector spinae 14% larger in ROW than in CON (P < 0.05-0.001). Isometric trunk flexion force was related to the CSA of the rectus abdominis (r = 0.777, P < 0.001) and psoas major (r = 0.694, P < 0.001), and was 42% larger in ROW than in CON (P < 0.001). However, force adjusted for the CSA of the muscles did not differ significantly between CON and ROW. In ROW, the CSA was 13% larger in the total thigh muscles (P < 0.01), and leg extension power was 43% higher than in CON (P < 0.001). These results suggest that rowing exercise is a favorable training modality for the trunk muscles, especially psoas major and that it improves thigh muscle size and function in elderly men.