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Rowing races require extreme physical and psychological effort from every athlete. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of the salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, as well as blood lactate throughout the specific load represented by a 6 km rowing race, conducted on a rowing ergometer. The sample consisted of 11 junior and senior rowers from HVK Gusar in Split (n = 11) who actively competed at club and international levels. Variables consisted of three repeated oral samples of the hormone cortisol and the enzyme alpha-amylase determined in saliva and three repeated blood lactate samples. Potential differences in the levels of the studied variables at different time points were determined using a repeated-measures ANOVA test. The results showed different dynamics of hormonal (cortisol) and metabolic (alpha-amylase and lactates) variables. All variables experienced a significant post-race increase, while other changes were not significant. The results highlighted that high-intensity rowing causes an increase in the body's cortisol, alpha-amylase, and lactate levels. This should be implemented in rowing training to find the right balance between high and low-intensity rowing, enabling athletes' progression while reducing the risk of overtraining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the effects of a team rowing-based training program on physical fitness and anthropometric parameters in female breast cancer survivors (n = 40; 56.78 ± 6.38 years). Participants were divided into two groups: one rowed in fixed seat rowing (FSR) boats (n = 20; 56.35 ± 4.89 years) and the other in sliding seat rowing (SSR) boats (n = 20; 57.20 ± 7.7 years). Both groups engaged in two 75-min sessions per week for 24 weeks. Significant improvements were observed in both groups in resting heart rate (FSR: −10.65 bpm; SSR: −8.45 bpm), heart rate at the beginning of the 6-min walk test (6 MWT) (FSR: −10.7 bpm; SSR: −11.25 bpm), and heart rate at the end of the test (FSR: −13.85 bpm; SSR: −20.35 bpm). Blood pressure improved significantly in both diastolic blood pressure (FSR: −12.35 mmHg; SSR: −19.25 mmHg) and systolic blood pressure (FSR: −13 mmHg; SSR: −16.95 mmHg). Additionally, both groups increased the distance covered in the 6 MWT (FSR: +63.05 m; SSR: +93.65 m). These results suggest that a rowing training program is a viable and safe activity for female breast cancer survivors, improving cardiac function, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory capacity, particularly in sliding seat boats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to study the effects of a specific rowing ergometer training program on the athletic performance of young adolescents (N = 56; 11.73 ± 1.4 years old) compared to a workout based on general strength training. An eight-week training program was implemented, with four sessions per week and two hours per session. The sample was divided into two groups: a control group (CG) that performed circuit training with exercises aimed at building general strength and an experimental group (EG) who focused on specifically training on a rowing ergometer (rowing machine). The data obtained in a rowing meter test over the competition distance were analyzed to obtain the average power attained (W) at the beginning of the training, at the middle (4 weeks), at the end of the training (8 weeks) and one year after the experimentation. The results show that although both forms of training improve the average W obtained in both categories, the EG subjects (+29.94 W) obtained better averages in all phases of the study compared to the CG (+5.88 W). Furthermore, this increase was greater in male rowers (+34.06 W) than in female rowers (+24.54 W). These results reveal that a specific rower rowing ergometer training program has a more significant effect than a general strength program and these effects can even be observed a year after the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the contribution of anthropometric and strength determinants of 2000 m ergometer performance in traditional rowing. Nineteen rowers competing at national level participated in this study. Anthropometric characteristics, vertical jumps and bench pull tests were assessed to determine conditional factors, whereas the 2000 m test was used to set rowing performance. Pearson correlation coefficient, linear stepwise and allometric regression analyses were used to predict rowing performance (R2 > 50%). Height, body mass and body muscle correlated with rowing performance in male and female rowers. Similarly, power output for squat jump and countermovement jump power correlated with performance. Finally, mean propulsive velocity, mean power and maximum power in bench pull also correlated with the test. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified body mass (R2 = 0.69, p < 0.001) and mean propulsive velocity in bench pull (R2 = 0.76, p < 0.001) for male rowers and body muscle (R2 = 0.89, p = 0.002) and maximum power in bench pull (R2 = 0.62, p = 0.036) for female rowers as the best predictors of rowing performance. These results determine the relevance of anthropometric characteristics and, in contrast to Olympic rowing, support the greatest importance of upper body power in traditional rowing training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rowing, rowers need outdoor and indoor training to develop a proficient technique. Although numerous indoor rowing machines have been proposed, none of the devices can realistically render the haptic, visual, and auditory characteristics of an actual rowing scenario. In our laboratory, we developed a simulator to support rowing training indoors. However, rendered forces with the initial rowing model, which was based on a simplified fluid dynamic model that approximated the drag/lift forces, were not perceived realistic enough for indoor training by expert rowers. Therefore, we implemented a new model for the blade–water interaction forces, which incorporates the three-dimensional rotation of the oar and continuously adjusts drag/lift coefficients. Ten expert rowers were asked to evaluate both models for various rowing aspects. In addition, the effect of individualization of model parameters on the perceived realism of rowing forces was elaborated. Based on the answers of the experts, we concluded that the new model rendered realistically resistive forces and ensured a smooth transition of forces within a rowing cycle. Additionally, we found that individualization of parameters significantly improved the perceived realism of the simulator. Equipped with a configurable rowing model, our simulator provides a realistic indoor training platform for rowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]