Bilateral leg extension power and fat-free mass in young oarsmen

We evaluated the impact of bilateral leg extension power and fat-free mass on 2000?m rowing ergometer performance in 332 young oarsmen (age 21±2 years, height 1.76±0.05?m, body mass 62±6?kg; mean±s). The 2000?m rowing performance time was correlated with height (1.62–1.93?m; R ²?=?0.23, P?<0.001), body mass (53–95?kg; R ²?=?0.53, P?<0.001), fat-free mass (47–82?kg; R ²?=?0.58, P?<0.001) and bilateral leg extension power (1202–3302?W; R ²?=?0.38, P?<0.001). Multiple regression analysis selected fat-free mass and bilateral leg extension power as regressor variables. Fat-free mass explained 58% of the variability in rowing performance and the inclusion of bilateral leg extension power improved the power of prediction by 5%. The results suggest that rowing involves almost every muscle in the body and that bilateral leg extension power is very important during this activity.     

Do oarsmen have asymmetries in the strength of their back and leg muscles?

The aim of this study was to establish whether asymmetry of the strength of the leg and trunk musculature is more prominent in rowers than in controls. Nineteen oarsmen and 20 male controls matched for age, height and body mass performed a series of isokinetic and isometric strength tests on an isokinetic dynamometer. These strength tests focused on the trunk and leg muscles. Comparisons of strength were made between and within groups for right and left symmetry patterns, hamstring: quadriceps ratios, and trunk flexor and extensor ratios. The results revealed no left and right asymmetries in either the knee extensor or flexor strength parameters (including both isometric and isokinetic measures). Knee extensor strength was significantly greater in the rowing population, but knee flexor strength was similar between the two groups. No difference was seen between the groups for the hamstring: quadriceps strength ratio. In the rowing population, stroke side had no influence on leg strength. No differences were observed in the isometric strength of the trunk flexors and extensors between groups, although EMG activity was significantly higher in the rowing population. Patterns of asymmetry of muscle activity were observed between the left and right erector spinae muscles during extension, which was significantly related to rowing side (P < 0.01). These observations could be related to the high incidence of low back pain in oarsmen.     

Bilateral leg extension power and fat-free mass in young oarsmen

We evaluated the impact of bilateral leg extension power and fat-free mass on 2000 m rowing ergometer performance in 332 young oarsmen (age 21+/-2 years, height 1.76+/-0.05 m, body mass 62+/-6 kg; mean+/-s). The 2000 m rowing performance time was correlated with height (1.62-1.93 m; R2=0.23, P<0.001), body mass (53-95 kg; R2=0.53, P<0.001), fat-free mass (47-82 kg; R2=0.58, P<0.001) and bilateral leg extension power (1202-3302 W; R2=0.38, P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis selected fat-free mass and bilateral leg extension power as regressor variables. Fat-free mass explained 58% of the variability in rowing performance and the inclusion of bilateral leg extension power improved the power of prediction by 5%. The results suggest that rowing involves almost every muscle in the body and that bilateral leg extension power is very important during this activity.     

Do oarsmen have asymmetries in the strength of their back and leg muscles?

The aim of this study was to establish whether asymmetry of the strength of the leg and trunk musculature is more prominent in rowers than in controls. Nineteen oarsmen and 20 male controls matched for age, height and body mass performed a series of isokinetic and isometric strength tests on an isokinetic dynamometer. These strength tests focused on the trunk and leg muscles. Comparisons of strength were made between and within groups for right and left symmetry patterns, hamstring :quadriceps ratios, and trunk flexor and extensor ratios. The results revealed no left and right asymmetries in either the knee extensor or flexor strength parameters (including both isometric and isokinetic measures). Knee extensor strength was significantly greater in the rowing population, but knee flexor strength was similar between the two groups. No difference was seen between the groups for the hamstring:quadriceps strength ratio. In the rowing population, stroke side had no influence on leg strength. No differences were observed in the isometric strength of the trunk flexors and extensors between groups, although EMG activity was significantly higher in the rowing population. Patterns of asymmetry of muscle activity were observed between the left and right erector spinae muscles during extension, which was significantly related to rowing side ( P < 0.01). These observations could be related to the high incidence of low back pain in oarsmen.     

The relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m ergometer test

The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m time-trial on a Concept II Model B rowing ergometer. The participants were 13 male club standard oarsmen. Their mean (+/- s) age, body mass and height were 19.9+/-0.6 years, 73.1+/-6.6 kg and 180.5+/-4.6 cm respectively. The participants were tested on the rowing ergometer to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), rowing economy, predicted velocity at VO2max, velocity and VO2 at the lactate threshold, and their velocity and VO2 at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1). Percent body fat was estimated using the skinfold method. The velocity for the 2000 m performance test and the predicted velocities at the lactate threshold, at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) and at VO2max were 4.7+/-0.2, 3.9+/-0.2, 4.2+/-0.2 and 4.6+/-0.2 m x s(-1) respectively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that the three predicted velocities were all significantly different from each other (P<0.05). The VO2max and lean body mass showed the highest correlation with the velocity for the 2000 m time-trial (r = 0.85). A stepwise multiple regression showed that VO2max was the best single predictor of the velocity for the 2000 m time-trial; a model incorporating VO2max explained 72% of the variability in 2000 m rowing performance. Our results suggest that rowers should devote time to the improvement of VO2max and lean body mass.     

Muscle morphology of the vastus lateralis is strongly related to ergometer performance,sprint capacity and endurance capacity in Olympic rowers

Rowers need to combine high sprint and endurance capacities. Muscle morphology largely explains muscle power generating capacity, however, little is known on how muscle morphology relates to rowing performance measures. The aim was to determine how muscle morphology of the vastus lateralis relates to rowing ergometer performance, sprint and endurance capacity of Olympic rowers. Eighteen rowers (12♂, 6♀, who competed at 2016 Olympics) performed an incremental rowing test to obtain maximal oxygen consumption, reflecting endurance capacity. Sprint capacity was assessed by Wingate cycling peak power. M. vastus lateralis morphology (volume, physiological cross-sectional area, fascicle length and pennation angle) was derived from 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging. Thirteen rowers (7♂, 6♀) completed a 2000-m rowing ergometer time trial. Muscle volume largely explained variance in 2000-m rowing performance (R² = 0.85), maximal oxygen consumption (R² = 0.65), and Wingate peak power (R² = 0.82). When normalized for differences in body size, maximal oxygen consumption and Wingate peak power were negatively related in males (r = ?0.94). Fascicle length, not physiological cross-sectional area, attributed to normalized peak power. In conclusion, vastus lateralis volume largely explains variance in rowing ergometer performance, sprint and endurance capacity. For a high normalized sprint capacity, athletes may benefit from long fascicles rather than a large physiological cross-sectional area.     

Normalization effect of sports training on blood pressure in hypertensives

Abstract

In this study, we assessed the extent to which 2000-m rowing ergometer performance predicted final rankings at the World Junior Rowing Championship in a sample of 398 junior rowers competing in 13 events. The rowers' ergometer performance times were examined using a questionnaire, and in all 13 events they correlated (P ≤ 0.039) with the final rankings at the Championship. The strongest correlations were observed for ergometer performance times in junior women's single sculls (r = 0.92; P < 0.001), followed by junior men's single sculls (r = 0.80; P < 0.001) and junior women's double sculls (r = 0.79; P < 0.001). The observed correlations were higher for smaller boats – singles, doubles, and pairs (r = 0.64–0.92; P ≤ 0.025) – than for larger boats – quads, fours, and eights (r = 0.31–0.70; P ≤ 0.039). Linear regression analyses were used to construct regression equations to predict final rankings based on 2000-m rowing ergometer performance times for each event. Although correlations in 10 of the 13 events were above r = 0.5, the large standard errors of the estimate impaired the prediction of rankings in all of the studied events. Using these equations, the most probable rowing ergometer performance times required for a particular ranking in a given rowing event might easily be calculated.     

瑞士球在赛艇运动训练中的运用研究

总结赵娥花指导奥运会赛艇亚军黄文仪的成功经验,发现瑞士球的辅助训练起着关键作用。因此,将此方法进行实验,进一步验证瑞士球在赛艇运动训练中的作用。     

Comment on ‘Ventilation and blood lactate increase exponentially during incremental exercise’ : A reply

Oar force and oar angle data resulting from a 6‐min maximal rowing ergometer test undertaken by novice (n = 9), good (n ‐ 23) and national (n = 9) level male rowers, were used to identify biomechanical performance variables which accurately discriminated between rowers of differing ability levels. The variables included two work capacity measures, mean propulsive power output per kilogram of body mass (W kg^‐1) and propulsive work consistency (%), and two skill variables, stroke‐to‐stroke consistency (%) and stroke smoothness (%). Discriminant function analysis indicated the presence of two functions, both of which clearly indicated the importance of mean propulsive power output per kilogram of body mass as a discriminating variable. Function 2 gave greater weight to stroke‐to‐stroke consistency and stroke smoothness than function 1; however, function 1 was the most powerful discriminator. Classification procedures were used to predict the ability level to which a rower most likely belonged and involved defining the ‘distance’ between each rower and each ability level centroid, with the rower being classified into the ‘nearest’ ability level. These procedures indicated that 100% of the elite, 73.9% of the good, 88.9% of the novice and 82.9% of all rowers were correctly classified into their respective skill levels. Stepwise discriminant analysis included the variables in the following order: mean propulsive power output per kilogram of body mass, stroke‐to‐stroke consistency, stroke smoothness and propulsive work consistency (P < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that biomechanical performance variables related to rowing capacity and skill may be identified and used to discriminate accurately between rowers of differing skill levels, and that, of these variables, propulsive work consistency is the least effective discriminator.     

Anthropometric profiles are associated with long-term career attainment in elite junior rowers: A retrospective analysis covering 23 years

Introduction: Successful rowers are heavier and taller than their opponents, but the effect of these variables on long-term career attainment in juniors has not been examined. We therefore analysed this in a large sample of elite German junior rowers. Methods: Former German Junior National Team rowers (N?=?910; 399 females) were grouped according to their highest career attainment, i.e., participation in U19-, U23-, Senior World Championships or Olympic Games (OG). Differences in standing height (SH), body mass (BM) and body mass index (BMI) between groups were analysed using unpaired t-tests and magnitude-based inferences (MBI), effects of anthropometrics on career attainment were analysed with a proportional odds model. Interquartile ranges of the OG group were used to define normative data ranges. Results: SH and BMI very likely differed between career attainment in females. The same was found in males for SH and BM. BM (odds ratio (OR)?=?0.958, P?=?.0171) and BMI (OR?=?0.787, P?=?.0004) had a significant effect on career attainment in females as SH (OR?=?1.072, P?=?.0002) and BM (OR?=?1.049, P?=?.0004) had in males. Interquartile ranges of SH and BM were 178–184?cm and 68–73?kg in females, 190–196?cm and 84–93?kg in males. Conclusion: Anthropometric characteristics at junior age affect long-term career attainment even within elite U19 National Team rowers, underlining the relevance of anthropometric assessments and their consideration for talent identification and development programmes in rowing. We provide evidence-based normative data that rule out an anthropometric limitation of junior rowers for career progression to Olympic level.     

Talent identification and deliberate programming in skeleton: Ice novice to Winter Olympian in 14 months

Abstract

The aims of this study were to talent transfer, rapidly develop, and qualify an Australian female athlete in the skeleton event at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games and quantify the volume of skeleton-specific training and competition that would enable this to be achieved. Initially, 26 athletes were recruited through a talent identification programme based on their 30-m sprint time. After attending a selection camp, 10 athletes were invited to undertake an intensified skeleton training programme. Four of these athletes were then selected to compete for Australia on the World Cup circuit. All completed runs and simulated push starts were documented over a 14-month period. The athlete who eventually represented Australia at the Torino Winter Olympic Games did so following approximately 300 start simulations and about 220 training/competition runs over a period of 14 months. Using a deliberate programming model, these findings provide a guide to the minimum exposure required for a novice skeleton athlete to reach Olympic representative standard following intensified sport-specific training. The findings of this study are discussed in the context of the deliberate practice theory and offer the term “deliberate programming” as an alternative way of incorporating all aspects of expert development.     

Relationships between Psychological Functions Tests and Selected Sport Skills of Boys in Junior High School

Abstract

Junior high school boys (N=181) took part in this study. There were 91 athletes and 90 nonathletes who took five psychological function tests² and eight sport skill tests to determine (a) whether differences existed in selected psychological functions and selected sport skills between junior high school boy athletes and nonathletes, (b) the degree of relationship between psychological functions and sport skills, (c) the implementation of a six-multiple variation equation in predicting probable individual sport skill scores, and (d) the degree of relationship between a long and short form psychological functions test and a long and short form sport skills test.

The Stoelting visual reaction timer apparatus was used to test for simple reaction time. The Howard-Dolman apparatus was used to test for depth perception. The McClure perimeter was used to test for peripheral vision left eye, right eye, and total angle. The sport skill tests used were soccer combination skills and volley; basketball dribble shoot and volley; volleyball volley and serve; and baseball volley and repeat throws.

Significant differences existed on all psychological function tests and sport skill tests between athletes and nonathletes, in favor of athletes. The psychological function tests were independent of each other except for peripheral vision total angle with right eye and left eye. There was a low to moderate relationship between the psychological functions and the sport skills. The six-variable multiple R regression equation had a 70 percent predictive accuracy on individual scores for each sport skill test. The short form psychological functions test and the short form sport skills test could replace their respective long forms. The short form psychological functions test could moderately predict sport skill performance in the sport skill areas selected.     

The relative power output and relative lean body mass of World and Olympic male and female champions with implications for gender equity

Abstract

A uniform measure of the gender-related differential performance of female and male Olympic and World champions is proposed: relative power output applied to the environment. Laws of physics are employed to derive equations for estimating relative power output. In previous controlled laboratory studies, equally trained male and female athletes were shown to have a relative power output not significantly different from relative lean body mass. As to the estimated power output for 32 Olympic and World championship events contested between 1976 and 2004, eight in running, four in speed skating, three in jumping, twelve in swimming and five in rowing: 100% of the 32 event mean percentage differences in power output and 96% of the 411 event percentage differences in power output are within one standard deviation of the appropriate lean body mass percentage difference, consistent with equality of training. For 1952 – 1972, significantly higher percentage differences in power output are estimated in running and swimming compared with 1976 – 2004, consistent with women being less well trained than men during that earlier period. It is noted that efforts in recent years to provide equality of opportunity for female athletes coincide with equalization of estimated relative power output in competition with the relative lean body mass.     

Personality Traits of Women in Team Sports vs. Women in Individual Sports

Abstract

The problem under investigation was to determine if were distinguishing personality traits when women who compete in team sports were compared to women who compete in individual sports. The subjects were chosen from a selected group of 156 women AAU athletes and the 1964 United States Olympic team. Those women who agreed to take part in the study were sent a copy of Form A of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, which was the instrument used to measure selected personality factors. Differences between groups were analyzed by means of the t test.

The results indicated that women athletes who compete in individual sports rated higher on the personality factors of dominance, adventurousness, sensitivity, introversion, radicalism, and self-sufficiency and lower on the factor of sophistication when compared to women athletes who compete in team sports. No differences were found in the factors of sociability, intelligence, stability, surgency, conscientiousness, suspecting, guilt-proneness, high self-sentiment, or high ergic tension.     

The effect of rowing headgear on forced convective heat loss and radiant heat gain on a thermal manikin headform

Abstract

Both radiant and forced convective heat flow were measured for a prototype rowing headgear and white and black cotton caps. The measurements were performed on a thermal manikin headform at a wind speed of 4.0 m · s^?1 (s = 0.1) in a climate chamber at 22.0°C (s = 0.05), with and without radiant heat flow from a heat lamp, coming from either directly above (90°) or from above at an angle of 55°. The effects of hair were studied by repeating selected measurements with a wig. All headgear reduced the radiant heat gain compared with the nude headform: about 80% for the caps and 95% for the prototype rowing headgear (P < 0.01). Forced convective heat loss was reduced more by the caps (36%) than by the prototype rowing headgear (9%) (P < 0.01). The radiant heat gain contributed maximally 13% to the net heat transfer, with or without headgear, showing that forced convective heat loss is the dominant heat transfer parameter under the chosen conditions. The results of the headgear – wig combinations were qualitatively similar, with lower absolute heat transfer.     

A Study of Three Movements in Classical Ballet

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and magnitude of specific variables perceived to have affected U.S. Olympic athlete performance. Participants included 296 Atlanta Olympians and 83 Nagano Olympians. Olympians rated how they perceived specific variables influenced their Olympic performance. Results revealed that numerous variables, including performance influences, such as preparation for distractions and loss of composure; team variables, such as strong cohesion and positive coach-athlete relationships; coaching variables, including coach's ability to deal with crises and coaching expectations; family-friend variables, including general social support and getting event tickets for family and friends; and environmental concerns, such as venue transportation difficulties and Olympic village distractions; were perceived to influence performance. Findings verified the results of qualitative interviews conducted with Olympic athletes and coaches.     

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

Abstract

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.     

The effect of rowing to exhaustion on frontal plane angular changes in the lumbar spine of elite rowers

Abstract

Lumbar spine injury is common in rowers and examination of spinal kinematics may improve the understanding of this injury's prevalence. This study aimed to examine the range of frontal plane angular displacement (AD) in the lumbar spine at L3 during ergometer rowing and to investigate the effect of exhaustion on lumbar kinematics. Twelve elite male rowers completed an incremental test on a Concept 2 ergometer. Lumbar AD at L3 was measured continually throughout the rowing trial using a Spectrotilt Inclinometer and blood lactate was sampled at 3-minute intervals. AD of between 4.7° and 8.8° was recorded at L3. There was a significant increase in AD between the first and last stage of the test (mean increase = 4.1 ± 1.94°, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.9 to 5.3°, t = 7.36, P = 0.000014). Incremental rise in AD was associated with an incremental rise in blood lactate but regression confirmed that only stroke rate was a significant predictor for increasing angle. Thus there is a statistically significant increase in frontal plane AD at L3 over the course of an incremental exercise test although it cannot be confirmed if this is as a result of exhaustion. The values of AD confirm that there is motion in the frontal plane in ergometer rowing.     

赛艇运动员有氧能力的测试

以１４名女子赛艇运动员为受试者，分别在跑台、自行车和赛艇测功仪上以一次最大负荷和递增负荷方式对其进行了有氧能力测量。根据测量结果，作者建议赛艇测功仪是赛艇运动员最大吸氧量测量的首选负荷器；一次最大负荷更能准确地测出赛艇运动员的最大吸氧量；同时测出的实际耗氧量占最大吸氧量的百分比在评价赛艇运动员有氧训练水平时较ＶＡＴ、ＬＡＴ更有价值。     

中国赛艇训练关键问题研究

2012年伦敦奥运会是对我国赛艇项目能否续写2008年奥运会辉煌的一次严峻考验。总体上,我国赛艇的女子项目优于男子项目,轻量级项目优于公开级项目,但与世界赛艇优势国家比较仍然存在较大差距。当前,我国赛艇亟待解决竞技能力的长期计划与赛前竞技状态的调控等问题,从运动生物学的角度研究竞技能力的积累和赛前竞技状态的控制。同时,还应该在技术训练和力量训练等方面审视并反思我国赛艇运动当前的训练,积极引进新的训练理念和方法,从运动的经济性和训练的实效性两个方面快速提高我国赛艇训练的质量。