A Comparative Analysis Of Two Rowing Ergometer Tests In Elite Female Rowers

Introduction
Rowing ergometer is one of the best ground training tools for rowing coaches and rowers. In addition, it is also a welldesigned
equipment for sport scientists in performing the rowing physiological testing. There are four major aims for
doing physiological testing in rowers：(1) to assess primary determinants of rowing performance, (2) to ensure that
rowers adapting to the prescribed training programs, (3) to establish appropriate training programs and personal training
intensities, and (4) to assist coaches in selecting team members.
Purpose
the purpose of this study was to compare the physiological indices between a 6-minutes all-out (ao) and a progressive
incremental (pi) rowing ergometer tests.

Methods
Eight elite female lightweight rowers (age: 20.6±1.4 yrs, height: 164.9±3.0 cm, weight: 59.7±3.7 kg, body fat:
22.3±2.1%) belonging to the national rowing team of taiwan participated in this study. Each rower performed the ao and
the pi tests on the concept iic rowing ergometer. The two tests are separated by 3 days. Vo2peak, vepeak, hrmax, blood
lactate concentration (bla) , and rowing performances on the rowing ergometer were measured in present study.

Results
Mean values for vo2peak, vepeak, hrmax are shown in table
There were no statistically significant differences among peak values for vo2, vepeak, and hrmax with each test. Peak
power production also was similar. Peak physiological values were almost achieved in the first minute for the ao test,
but in the last phase for the pi test.

Discussion/ conclusions
The progressive incremental (pi) rowing ergometer test can be used to estimate the maximum oxygen consumption, the
exercise intensities and heart rates corresponding to anaerobic threshold and lactate threshold, and the relationship of
blood lactate to exercise intensities. it may also provide a basis for estimating anaerobic capacity. a 6-minutes all-out
(ao) rowing ergometer test was used to simulate a rowing race. The pi and ao tests have specialized advantages, and two
kinds of tests have used by rowing coach and sport scientist. Even though the procedure of pi test and analysis of
physiological data cost more time than the ao test, its capacity on assessing rowing performance is more complete than
the ao test.
Supported in part by nsc 91-2413-h-003-060, Chinese Taipei

NOTA: O texto com a iconografia está no anexo.

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