The Physiology of RowingThe Physiology of Rowing

Whitney McMackinWhitney McMackinIt's a great art, is rowing. It's the finest art there is. It's a symphony of motion. And when you're rowing well why it's nearing perfection- And when you reach perfection you're touching the divine. It touches the you of you's which is your soul. -George Pocock

Initial ThoughtsInitial Thoughts

Sport/ Activity

Energy Fitness Muscular Fitness

Aerobic Anaerobic Flexibility Strength Endurance

Speed Power

Rowing M H M H H M H

Energy FitnessEnergy Fitness

• AerobicAerobic– VO2max (Medium Level Verified)VO2max (Medium Level Verified)

• Anaerobic (Blood Lactate Levels)Anaerobic (Blood Lactate Levels)– All energy consumed in 2k race (Pripstein 1999) High Level All energy consumed in 2k race (Pripstein 1999) High Level

VerifiedVerified

Average VO2max for women: 3.89 L/minAverage VO2max for women: 3.89 L/min

Muscular FitnessMuscular Fitness

• Flexibility: no research verification: MedFlexibility: no research verification: Med

• Strength: Importance in lifting/splits-HighStrength: Importance in lifting/splits-High

• Endurance: Related to aerobic fitness-MedEndurance: Related to aerobic fitness-Med

• Speed: Tested for increased stroke rating over Speed: Tested for increased stroke rating over stages M/Hstages M/H

• Power: HighPower: High

Final ConclusionsFinal Conclusions

Sport/Activity

Energy Fitness Muscular Fitness

Aerobic Anaerobic Flexibility Strength Endurance Speed Power

Rowing M H M H M M/H H

ReferencesReferences

• Gravelle, B., & Blessing, D. (2000, February). Physiological adaptation in Gravelle, B., & Blessing, D. (2000, February). Physiological adaptation in women concurrently training for strength and endurance. / Adaptation women concurrently training for strength and endurance. / Adaptation physiologique a un entrainement combine de force et d'endurance ches physiologique a un entrainement combine de force et d'endurance ches des sujets de sexe feminin. des sujets de sexe feminin. Journal of Strength & Conditioning ResearchJournal of Strength & Conditioning Research, , 1414(1), 5-13. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from SPORTDiscus database.(1), 5-13. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from SPORTDiscus database.

• Lacour, J., Messonnier, L., & Bourdin, M. (2007, September 15). The Lacour, J., Messonnier, L., & Bourdin, M. (2007, September 15). The leveling-off of oxygen uptake is related to blood lactate accumulation. leveling-off of oxygen uptake is related to blood lactate accumulation. Retrospective study of 94 elite rowers. Retrospective study of 94 elite rowers. European Journal of Applied European Journal of Applied PhysiologyPhysiology, , 101101(2), 241-247. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from SPORTDiscus (2), 241-247. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from SPORTDiscus database.database.

• Nilsen Thor S. (1988). Basic Rowing Physiology. The FISA Coaching Nilsen Thor S. (1988). Basic Rowing Physiology. The FISA Coaching Deveopment Course, FISA CDP booklet. Pages 28-43. Deveopment Course, FISA CDP booklet. Pages 28-43.

• Perkins, C., & Pivarnik, J. (2003, February). Physiological profiles and Perkins, C., & Pivarnik, J. (2003, February). Physiological profiles and performance predictors of a women's NCAA rowing team. performance predictors of a women's NCAA rowing team. Journal of Journal of Strength & Conditioning ResearchStrength & Conditioning Research, , 1717(1), 173-176. Retrieved April 1, 2008, (1), 173-176. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from SPORTDiscus database.from SPORTDiscus database.

• Pripstein, L., Rhodes, E., McKenzie, D., & Coutts, K. (1999, May). Aerobic Pripstein, L., Rhodes, E., McKenzie, D., & Coutts, K. (1999, May). Aerobic and anaerobic energy during a 2-km race simulation in female rowers. and anaerobic energy during a 2-km race simulation in female rowers. European Journal of Applied Physiology & Occupational PhysiologyEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology & Occupational Physiology, , 7979(6), (6), 491-494. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from SPORTDiscus database.491-494. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from SPORTDiscus database.