Athletes’ Physical Performance in the System of the Sports Medicine Technologies Effectiveness Evaluation

Aim. To determine the effectiveness of the specific loading testing use in assessing the athletes’ physical performance. Material and methods. We present a post-hoc analysis of data from specific and nonspecific loading testing (bicycle ergometer, treadmill, rowing ergometer, and ski treadmill) of 23 oarsmen athletes (13 male (mean age 25.85±0.88 years) and 10 female (mean age 22.90±1.20 years); 125 track and field athletes (75 male athletes (mean age 24.74±0.91) and 50 female athletes (mean age 23.81±1.35)), 38 ski athletes (22 male athletes (mean age 21.3±2.4) and 16 female athletes (mean age 19.6±1.8)). Results and discussion. When assessing the physical performance of track and field athletes of various positions using a bicycle ergometer and a treadmill, the maximum oxygen consumption (MOC) parameter for throwers and jumpers was in the range of 29-55 ml/min/kg (it is more appropriate to use a statoergometer), for runners – 39-75 ml/min/kg (testing on a treadmill is preferable). The greatest efficiency and physiological validity was obtained by load testing using a rowing ergometer for rowing athletes and a ski roller treadmill for athletes of ski sports (the ratio of heart rate at the anaerobic metabolism threshold level to the heart rate “on failure” is ~ 97%). With bicycle ergometry, low values of MOC were obtained in athletes training for endurance, and, including on the treadmill, in athletes with the main strength load and implies the work of the muscles of the upper shoulder girdle and back. The functional and reserve capabilities of the athlete are not reflected in the data obtained that makes impossible to judge the level of his/her functional readiness. Conclusion. Sports medicine technologies reflecting the dynamic characteristics of athletes’ physical performance should be evaluated from the point of view of informativeness and efficiency of their application depending on the type of sport. Conclusion about the effectiveness of sports medicine technologies should be made considering the results of the functional and physical performance testing under the exertion, specific to a particular sport.

Training-Induced Muscle Adaptations During Competitive Preparation in Elite Female Rowers

Training-induced adaptations in muscle morphology, including their magnitude and individual variation, remain relatively unknown in elite athletes. We reported changes in rowing performance and muscle morphology during the general and competitive preparation phases in elite rowers. Nineteen female rowers completed 8 weeks of general preparation, including concurrent endurance and high-load resistance training (HLRT). Seven rowers were monitored during a subsequent 16 weeks of competitive preparation, including concurrent endurance and resistance training with additional plyometric loading (APL). Vastus lateralis muscle volume, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), fascicle length, and pennation angle were measured using 3D ultrasonography. Rowing ergometer power output was measured as mean power in the final 4 minutes of an incremental test. Rowing ergometer power output improved during general preparation [+2 ± 2%, effect size (ES) = 0.22, P = 0.004], while fascicle length decreased (−5 ± 8%, ES = −0.47, P = 0.020). Rowing power output further improved during competitive preparation (+5 ± 3%, ES = 0.52, P = 0.010). Here, morphological adaptations were not significant, but demonstrated large ESs for fascicle length (+13 ± 19%, ES = 0.93), medium for pennation angle (−9 ± 15%, ES = −0.71), and small for muscle volume (+8 ± 13%, ES = 0.32). Importantly, rowers showed large individual differences in their training-induced muscle adaptations. In conclusion, vastus lateralis muscles of elite female athletes are highly adaptive to specific training stimuli, and adaptations largely differ between individual athletes. Therefore, coaches are encouraged to closely monitor their athletes' individual (muscle) adaptations to better evaluate the effectiveness of their training programs and finetune them to the athlete's individual needs.

Optimization of physical fitness of rowers-academics

The article reveals and analyzes the content of physical training of rowers-academics of two schools of higher sportsmanship: Kherson and Dnipro in the preparatory period. The training programs included exercises in gyms with different weights, namely lying down, squats with a barbell; rowing on an ergometer; long distance running. The magnitude of the training load, the intensity of training was determined by coaches depending on the condition of the athlete. Changes in the indicators of physical fitness of these athletes were studied. It is proved that after the training camp in the preparatory period of training rowers-academics the result on the rowing ergometer Concept 2 increased and the growth rate in the national team of Dnipro SHVSM was 1.2%, and in the national team of Kherson SHVSM 0.7%. According to the test, the thrust of the barbell lying - in the national team of the Dnieper SHVSM 11.7%, and in the national team of the Kherson SHVSM 27.8%. A promising area of further work is to study the features of technical training of rowers-academics. The need for targeted training in the training process from the stage of preliminary basic training to higher sports skills requires finding the best options for training planning in each age group and for different periods and stages of the annual cycle. The experience of the past years shows that the process of development of sports results in rowing is organically connected with the improvement of the physical fitness of the rower, but the reserves in this direction are not yet exhausted.

The integration of training and off-training activities substantially alters training volume and load analysis in elite rowers

Training studies in elite athletes traditionally focus on the relationship between scheduled training (TRAIN) and performance. Here, we added activities outside of scheduled training i.e., off-training (OFF) contributing to total training (TOTAL) to evaluate the contribution of OFF on performance. Eight elite rowers recorded OFF and TRAIN during waking hours for one season (30–45 weeks) with multisensory smartwatches. Changes in performance were assessed via rowing ergometer testing and maximum oxygen uptake ($${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ O2max). Based on 1-Hz-sampling of heart rate data during TRAIN and OFF (> 60% maximum heart rate (HRmax), the volume, session count, intensity, training impulse (TRIMP), and training intensity distribution were calculated. OFF altered volume, TRIMP, and session count by 19 ± 13%, 13 ± 9%, and 41 ± 67% (p < 0.001). On an individual level, training intensity distribution changed in 3% of the valid weeks. Athletes exercised 31% of their weekly volume below 60% HRmax. Low to moderate intensities dominated during OFF with 87% (95% CI [79, 95]); however, in some weeks high-intensity activities > 89% HRmax during OFF amounted to 21 min·week−1 (95% CI [4, 45]). No effect of OFF on changes of performance surrogates was found (0.072 > p > 0.604). The integration of OFF substantially altered volume, TRIMP, and session count. However, no effect on performance was found.

Rowing Performance After Dehydration: An Unexpected Effect of Method

Purpose: To investigate whether mild dehydration, as a weight reduction strategy for lightweight rowers, compromises rowing performance despite a two-hour rehydration window. Both 2000m time trial and visuomotor performance were assessed for impairment. Methods: Experienced rowers (N=14) twice performed a 2000 m rowing ergometer time trial and visuomotor battery: once euhydrated and once after mild dehydration (-1.68 ± .23% body mass reduction). Weight loss was achieved through a combination of 12-hour (overnight) fluid restriction and sauna exposure. Results: Participants were significantly slower on the 2000 m rowing trial in the dehydration condition than in the euhydration condition (2.44 ± 4.5 s, p&lt;0.05). Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that these rowing performance decrements were better accounted for by dehydration achieved overnight through fluid restriction (r2=.504, p&lt;0.01) than by dehydration achieved in the sauna (r2=.025, n.s.). Hierarchical regression also revealed a relationship between dehydration-related rowing performance decrements and dehydration-related changes in visuomotor function (r2=.310, p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest that rowing time-trial performance is negatively affected by relatively small changes in hydration status (&lt;2% body-mass dehydration) and that the method by which dehydration is achieved is important. Performance losses were associated with prolonged fluid abstinence and not with short-term thermal exposure.

Correlation of Selected Kayak Pro Parameters In-land and In-boat

There is no adequate research on the validity of rowing ergometers in measuring paddling performance of Paradragon Boat paddlers. This study then aimed to determine the validity of a specific rowing ergometer in measuring paddling performance. This study used a prospective correlational research design. The study was conducted in a sea channel and a university gym. Ten paddlers in a non-profit organization paddled on a rowing ergometer and in-boat on actual seawater. The time duration, number of strokes, and speed of each subject per 200 m, 500 m, and 2000 m were recorded. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the correlational relationship between paddling parameters in-land and in-boat. Validity coefficients showed strong positive relationship between ergometer and inboat performance in all assessed technical parameters: time (200 m: r = 0.89; 500 m: r = 0.90; 2000 m: r = 0.84), number of strokes (200 m: r = 0.88; 500 m: r = 0.91; 2000 m: r = 0.82), and speed (200 m: r = 0.87; 500 m: r = 0.89; 2000 m: r = 0.82). Therefore, the rowing ergometer is a valid tool in assessing paddling performance of Paradragon boat paddlers.

Validation of Plantar Pressure and Reaction Force Measured by Moticon Pressure Sensor Insoles on a Concept2 Rowing Ergometer

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of plantar pressure and reaction force measured using the Moticon and Pedar-x sensor insoles while rowing on a Concept2 ergometer. Nineteen participants performed four 500 m trials of ergometer rowing at 22–24 strokes/min; two trials wearing Moticon insoles and two wearing Pedar-x insoles in a randomised order. Moticon and Pedar-x insoles both showed moderate to strong test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.57–0.92) for mean and peak plantar pressure and reaction force. Paired t-test demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.001) between Moticon and Pedar-x insoles, effect size showed a large bias (ES > 1.13), and Pearson’s correlation (r < 0.37) showed poor agreement for all plantar pressure and reaction force variables. Compared to Pedar-x, the Moticon insoles demonstrated poor validity, however, the Moticon insoles had strong reliability. Due to poor validity, caution should be used when considering Moticon insoles to assess changes in pressure and force reliably over time, across multiple trials or sessions. Moticon’s wireless and user-friendly application would be beneficial for assessing and monitoring biomechanical parameters in rowing if validity between measures of interest and Moticon’s results can be established.

Case Report: Adjusting Seat and Backrest Angle Improves Performance in an Elite Paralympic Rower

Paralympic rowers with functional impairments of the legs and trunk rely on appropriate seat configurations for performance. We compared performance, physiology, and biomechanics of an elite Paralympic rower competing in the PR1 class during ergometer rowing in a seat with three different seat and backrest inclination configurations. Unlike able-bodied rowers, PR1 rowers are required to use a seat with a backrest. For this study, we examined the following seat/backrest configurations: conA: 7.5°/25°, conB: 0°/25°, and conC: 0°/5° (usually used by the participant). All data was collected on a single day, i.e., in each configuration, one 4-min submaximal (100 W) and one maximal (all-out) stage was performed. The rowing ergometer provided the average power and (virtual) distance of each stage, while motion capture provided kinematic data, a load cell measured the force exerted on the ergometer chain, and an ergospirometer measured oxygen uptake (V˙O2). Where appropriate, a Friedman's test with post-hoc comparisons performed with Wilcoxon signed-ranked tests identified differences between the configurations. Despite similar distances covered during the submaximal intensity (conA: 793, conB: 793, conC: 787 m), the peak force was lower in conC (conA: 509, conB: 458, conC: 312 N) while the stroke rate (conA: 27 conB: 31, conC: 49 strokes·min−1) and V˙O2 (conA: 34.4, conB: 35.4, conC: 39.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) were higher. During the maximal stage, the virtual distances were 7–9% longer in conA and conB, with higher peak forces (conA: 934 m, 408 N, conB: 918 m, 418 N, conC: 856 m, 331 N), and lower stroke rates (conA: 51, conB: 54, conC: 56 strokes·min−1), though there was no difference in V˙O2peak (~47 ml−1·kg−1·min−1). At both intensities, trunk range of motion was significantly larger in configurations conA and conB. Although fatigue may have accumulated during the test day, this study showed that a more inclined seat and backrest during ergometer rowing improved the performance of a successful Paralympic PR1 rower. The considerable increase in ergometer rowing performance in one of the top Paralympic rowers in the world is astonishing and highlights the importance of designing equipment that can be adjusted to match the individual needs of Paralympic athletes.