Author(s): CHAN, Y.Y., TAI, C.H., LO, K.K., CHAN, L.H., LO, W.K., HUANG, Z., WU, J., Institution: HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE, Country: HONG KONG, Abstract-ID: 1668

INTRODUCTION:
Rowing events are typically raced over 2000m, which last for 5.5-7 mins [1]. A number of studies indicated that rowing performances were dependent on energy systems, with 70-80% contributed by aerobic metabolism and 20-30% derived from anaerobic metabolism [2,3]. Therefore, it is common for rowing athletes to who live in sea level to train at moderate altitude, in order to improve their endurance performance [4]. In this study, the physiological response of elite rowing athletes who took part at a 4-weeks altitude training camp at altitude 2100 meters were investigated.
METHODS:
Twenty-seven elite rowing athletes from the Hong Kong Rowing Squad participate in this study (18 male,9 female, age 22.4±3.8). All subjects normally live at sea-level and participated a 4-weeks altitude training camp at altitude 2100 meters. Physiological parameters including hemoglobin (Hb) and body weight were monitored throughout the camp. Incremental test with rowing ergometer (Model D, Concept 2, USA) consists of seven stages of 1km were repeated at 7 days pre-camp, the 16th day during the camp, and 3 days post-camp. 30 mins rowing ergometer training at 22 spm were carried out every week to assess the performance of the rowers during the camp. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to detect changes between different time points of the parameters, effect sizes expressed as partial eta-squared (η2). Significance was set at P<0.05.
RESULTS:
Mean Hb was 14.0±0.9, 15.4±1.0, 15.3±0.9, 15.4±0.9, 15.2±1.1 g/dl for pre-camp, and week 1-4 respectively. Significant differences were found between pre-camp and week 1-4 (P=0.00, η2=0.44). Mean body weight was 70.95±8.46, 70.4±8.5, 70±8.59 and 69.66±8.44 kg for week 1-4 respectively. Significant differences were found between week 1 to 4 (P=0.00, η2=0.21). Mean power at anaerobic threshold of incremental rowing ergometer test were 250.0±47.6, 246.5±50.7 and 273.2±52.4 W for pre-camp, during-camp and post-camp respectively. Significant differences were found between pre-camp and post-camp (P=0.00, η2=0.50). Mean power of 30 mins rowing ergometer training at 22 spm were 197.3±39.8, 203.5±42.0, 200.2±41.1 and 203.1±43.4 W for week 1-4 respectively. Significant differences were found between week 1 to 4 (P=0.01, η2=0.18).
CONCLUSION:
Hb increases significantly by 10.1% since the first week of the altitude camp when compared with pre-camp baseline. A trend of body weight decreases for a total of 1.7% throughout the camp. The anaerobic threshold power of incremental test have been increased by 9.3% throughout the camp. The 30 mins rowing ergometer training power were the lowest at week 1 of the camp, then increased by 3.0% from week 1 to week 4. In summary, Hb and anaerobic threshold power increases, with body weight decreased by taking part in the altitude camp, while 30 mins ergometer power increased from week 2 of the camp.
1. Steinacker (1993) 2. Ingham et al. (2002) 3. Stevens et al. (2015) 4. Burtscher et al. (2018)