Abstract
In the present study, a number of physiological variables were measured on members of the Great Britain heavyweight rowing squad in the laboratory, field and also during altitude training. The main purposes of the study were to determine which of these physiological variables were important determinants of success in rowing and to evaluate the effects of a specific phase of training on these variables. Additionally, the study sought to assess the effectiveness of different modes of training by monitoring the physiological responses and adaptations to a period of altitude training and evaluating their impact on aerobic work capacity on return to sea level. Of the 22 descriptive and physiological variables measured to determine their relationship with rowing performance, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) expressed in absolute terms (1.min-1) was found to be the best single predictor of rowing performance for the 6 minute (DIST6) and 2500 metre (T2500) performance tests used. Although a number of other physiological variables were found to be significantly related to rowing performance, their inclusion added little to a predictor model of performance. Analysis of the physiological responses to a 3 month phase of training revealed significant improvements in rowing economy (P<0.01) and the exercise intensity attained at a fixed blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol.-1 (P<0.05). In contrast to these improvements in submaximal variables, no significant change was observed for VO2 max. Changes in the mean daily values for 10 physiological variables measured over 19 days of altitude training and were compared to pre-altitude values. The increase in haemoglobin (Hb) in response to training in a hypobaric environment appears to reflect an increase in haemoconcentration due to a reduction in plasma volume (PV) and to a lesser degree erythropoiesis. Additionally, it appears that those subjects with lower initial Hb levels experienced the greatest increase during altitude training. A significant rise in serum creatine kinase (CK) (P<0.01) and urea (P<0.01) were observed after the period of acclimatisation, which tends to indicate that any increases were associated with a progressive elevation in training load, after this phase, rather than the hypoxic stimulus per se. On return to sea level, there was no significant (P>0.05) improvement in aerobic work capacity, as determined by a fall in submaximal blood lactate concentrations during prolonged exercise.