Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

09:24
A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
Published on: January 28, 2020
Physiological correlates of performance. Case study of a world-class rower
Jean-René Lacour1, Laurent Messonnier, Muriel Bourdin
1Université de Lyon, Lyon, France, INRETS, LBMC UMR_T 9406, Université Lyon 1, BP12, F-69921, Oullins, France.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|March 19, 2009
Summary
This study tracked an elite rower
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Physiology
- Rowing Performance
Background:
- Investigated physiological changes in a decorated heavyweight rower over a decade.
- Compared elite rower's capacity to peer champions during their international career and post-retirement.
- Focused on changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and training load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the long-term physiological adaptations and maintenance of elite performance in a world-class rower.
- To determine the key physiological factors contributing to sustained high-level performance in rowing.
- To assess the decline in physiological capacity after cessation of peak training.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking a single elite heavyweight rower.
- Measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) over 10 years.
- Monitoring of training volume (km/week) during the competitive period.
Main Results:
- The rower maintained an outstanding VO2max above 6 L/min throughout their final 6 competitive years.
- VO2max declined by only 3.6% four years after retirement, despite a 35% reduction in training load.
- Gross efficiency and reliance on anaerobic glycolysis were not identified as primary factors for sustained success.
Conclusions:
- Sustained elite rowing performance is strongly linked to the ability to maintain exceptional VO2max.
- Physiological capacity, particularly VO2max, shows remarkable resilience even after significant training reduction.
- Factors other than gross efficiency or anaerobic glycolysis are critical for long-term athletic excellence in rowers.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...
Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO), the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute, is a parameter in cardiovascular physiology determined by stroke volume and heart rate. Stroke volume, the amount of blood pushed from one of the ventricles per heartbeat, is influenced by preload, afterload, and contractility.
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...

