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Jarek MäestuSports Scientist (PhD),

Ex rower and rowing coach,Rowing Academy Scientist

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ROWING ACADEMY

ANAEROBIC POWER IN ROWING

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Anaerobic power is a physiological factor dominating 2000 m rowing race during the start and the finish. Anaerobic capacity relies on carbohydrate availability, therefore lower glycolytic capacities may be of negative effect at the start acceleration and the final spurt in the rowing race (Steinacker et al. 1993). Different studies have proposed the following overall contribution of energy production during 2000 m race (Table 1).

 Studies Number of subjects Aerobic contribution % Anaerobic contribution %

Russell et al. (1998)Droghetti et al. (1991)Hagerman et al. (1978)Roth et al. (1983)Messonnier et al. (1997)De Campos Mello et al. (2009)

1919

31010138

8480706786

In boat 87Ergom. 84

1620303314

In boat 13Ergom. 16

Table 1. The overall ratio of aerobic and anaerobic energy consumption in 2000 m rowing race in different studies.

The reported energy contribution from the anaerobic energy system suggests that it would significantly influence 2000 m rowing performance.

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As anaerobic power has a significant contribution to the 2000 m distance, its testing validity has also been thoroughly studied.

Probably the most studied method is the maximal oxygen deficit method i.e. the difference between the estimated total oxygen requirement and the oxygen consumption established during the maximal test from two to six minutes (Figure 1). The validity of this method has been shown to be in close relationship with the anaerobic energy produced in a single muscle group. However, this method is not very practical to use as special apparatus is needed.

Figure 1. Oxygen deficit during the exercise

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General anaerobic power can be estimated as the total power performed during a 30-second Wingate test on rowing ergometer.

Jürimäe et al. (2000) also measured anaerobic lactic power as a 40 second maximal work on rowing ergometer and average power was found to be 613±88 watts. However, it should be mentioned that an “all-out” test that is limited by time is not the best solution, since the end of the last stroke may not exactly correspond to the end of 40 sec and therefore the average power could be reduced. Therefore, a test using a fixed number of strokes (e.g. 20 strokes) should be preferred for measuring anaerobic lactic power.

Five maximal strokes on rowing ergometer have been used for the measurement of anaerobic lactic power with maximal values seen as high as 800 Watts (Jürimäe et al. 1999).

However, it should be mentioned that those tests are not very practical for training monitoring as they highly depend on the motivation of the athlete. Also, poor correlations have been shown with these tests and the actual performance on the 2000 m distance (Jürimäe et al. 1999). The reason probably is that the capacity of anaerobic power is limited and increase in performance would be rather as a consequence of economy and aerobic capacity.

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Peak lactate levels after maximal short time effort also give the indication of the use of anaerobic energy, with male rowers presenting higher values compared to women, as they have larger muscle mass relative to blood volume. Peak lactate values may reach as high as 18-20 mmol/L and14-16 mmol/L for male and women rowers, respectively.

Peak lactate levels are also negatively related to the proportion of slow twitch fibers in the active muscle groups and decrease with increases in performance (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Relationship between maximal lactate concentration and lactate threshold (Steinacker, 1993).

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References• De Campos Mello F, de Moraes Bertuzzi RC, Moreno Grangerio P, Franchini E. Energy

contributions in 2000 m race simulation: a comparison among rowing ergometers and water. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 107: 615-619.

• Droghetti P, Jensen K, Nielsen TS. The total estimated metabolic cost of rowing. FISA Coach 1991; 2: 1 – 4.

• Hagerman F, Connors M, Gault J, Hagerman G. Energy expenditure during simulated rowing. J Appl Physiol 1978; 45: 87 – 93.

• Jürimäe J, Mäestu J, Jürimäe T, Pihl E. Prediction of rowing performance on single sculls from metabolic and anthropometric variables. J Hum Mov Stud 2000; 38: 123-136.

• Jürimäe J, Mäestu J, Jürimäe T, Pihl E. Relationship between rowing performance and different metabolic parameters in male rowers. Med della Sport 1999; 52: 119 – 126.

• Messonnier L, Freund H, Bourdin M, Belli A, Lacour J. Lactate exchange and removal abilities in rowing performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997; 29: 396 – 401.

• Steinacker J.M. Physiological aspects of rowing. Int J Sports Med 1993; 1: 3 – 10.• Roth W, Hasart E, Wolf W, Pansold B. Untersuchungen zur Dynamic der Energiebereitstellung

während maximaler Mittelzeitausdauerbelastung. Med Sport 1983; 23: 107 – 114.• Russell AP, le Rossignol PF, Sparrow WA. Prediction of elite schoolboy 2000-m rowing ergometer

performance from metabolic, anthropometric and strength variables. J Sports Sci 1998; 16: 749-754.

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