Diagnostics of _La.max and Glycolytic Energy Contribution Indicate Individual Characteristics of Anaerobic Glycolytic...

The diagnostics of anaerobic glycolytic metabolism which play a subordinate role in elite rowing and parameters such as maximum lactate accumulation rate (_La.max) have thus far not been associated with ergometer rowing performance. The aim of the study was to quantify the glycolytic energy metabolism (W_Gly) during a 2000 m ergometer rowing time trial (RTT) and _La.max during a 10 s maximum ergometer rowing sprint test (RST) and to unravel associations between those variables and RTT performance. Combined post-exercise lactate measurements and oxygen uptake after RST and RTT were used to determine _La.max and glycolytic energy contribution (W_Gly) in seven male and three female German U 23 national rowers (N = 10, 19.8 ± 0.9 years, 183.2 ± 7.0 cm height, 79.9 ± 13.3 kg body mass, 16.4 ± 5.1 % body fat). W_Gly during RTT ranged from 7 to 15.5% and _La.max between 0.25 and 0.66 mmol∙L^-1∙s^-1. _La.max correlated with W_Gly (p < 0.05, r = 0.74) and the mechanical power output (W) for the first 300 m (300_first) during RTT (p < 0.05, r = 0.67). _La.max further correlated with ∆300_first-last (W) for the first and last 300 m (300_last) during RTT (p < 0.01, r = 0.87) and also within the subgroup of male rowers. _La.max displays a wide spectrum of individual differences in rowers. Due to this and its correlation to specific phases of RTT, it contributes to an individual energetic performance profile in rowing. Future studies must undermine the role of _La.max for exercise performance and whether it serves as a marker that can be specifically targeted for a training-induced increase or decrease.