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Training methods and intensity distribution of young world-class rowers
Arne Guellich1, Stephen Seiler, Eike Emrich
1Department of Sports Sciences, University of Kaiserslautern, Germany.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|December 24, 2009
Summary
Elite junior rowers predominantly train at low intensity, with a slight increase in high-intensity work during competition. This training strategy may correlate with future senior success in rowing.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Rowing Performance Analysis
Background:
- Understanding training methodologies in elite junior athletes is crucial for optimizing performance.
- Previous research has explored training intensity distributions in various sports, but specific data for junior rowers is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the distribution of exercise types and rowing intensities in successful junior rowers.
- To investigate the relationship between junior training patterns and subsequent senior international success.
Main Methods:
- 36 German junior male rowers (international/national finalists) maintained training diaries for 37 weeks.
- Training volumes were categorized by exercise type and intensity (blood lactate levels).
- Training organization was compared between juniors who achieved senior success and those who did not.
Main Results:
- Rowing constituted 52% of total training, with 95% performed at low intensity (<2 mmol/L blood lactate).
- During the competition period, a slight shift towards higher intensity training was observed.
- Juniors achieving senior international success had marginally higher training volumes at both low and high intensity extremes.
Conclusions:
- Young world-class rowers emphasize consistent low-intensity rowing, with a polarized intensity distribution emerging in the competition phase.
- The findings suggest a potential link between training intensity polarization and later senior success, warranting further investigation into underlying mechanisms.
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