Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(5): 368-373
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815844
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Peak Power Output Predicts Rowing Ergometer Performance in Elite Male Rowers

M. Bourdin1 , L. Messonnier1 , 2 , J.-P. Hager3 , J.-R. Lacour1
  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Exercice - GIP E2 S, Faculté de médecine Lyon-Sud, Oullins Cedex, France
  • 2Laboratoire de Modélisation des Activités Sportives, Département STAPS - UFR CISM - Université de Savoie, Campus Universitaire, Le Bourget du Lac Cedex, France
  • 3Service de Médecine du Sport, Centre hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: August 10, 2003

Publication Date:
18 May 2004 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that peak power output (Ppeak) sustained during maximal incremental testing would be an overall index of rowing ergometer performance over 2000 m (P2000), and to study the influence of selected physiological variables on Ppeak. A group of 54 highly trained rowers (31 heavyweight [HW] and 23 lightweight [LW] rowers) was studied. Body mass, maximal oxygen uptake (V·O2max), oxygen consumption corresponding to a blood lactate of 4 mmol · l-1 expressed in percentage of V·O2max (V·O2La4 %), and rowing gross efficiency (RGE) were also determined during the incremental test. In the whole group Ppeak was the best predictor of P2000 (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Body mass (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001), V·O2max (r = 0.84, p < 0.0001), V·O2La4 % (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001) and RGE (r = 0.35, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with P2000 as well. To take the influence of body mass into account, V·O2max was related to kg0.57. Ppeak was significantly related to body mass (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001), V·O2max · kg-0.57 (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001), V·O2La4 % (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and RGE (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the above parameters taken together explained 82.8 % of Ppeak variation in the whole group. It was also demonstrated that Ppeak was the best predictor of P2000 when LW and HW groups were considered separately. It was concluded that, by integrating the main physiological factors of performance, Ppeak is an overall index of physiological rowing capacity and rowing efficiency in heterogeneous as well as in homogeneous groups. It presents the further advantage of being easily measured in the field.