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The present study examines Foucault's (1977) concept of normalization as it applies to the emotions of female elite amateur rowers. Specifically, this study sought to understand how beliefs about emotion, developed through the normalization process, may coerce athletes to continue to train even when physically unhealthy. Interviews were conducted with 11 retired elite amateur female rowers who suffered health problems while training but continued training despite these health problems. Interpretation of the data suggests that the rowers suppressed emotions to avoid appearing mentally weak, negative, or irrational, despite needing to express their concerns about training volumes and health issues to minimize deleterious effects that continued training eventually had on their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which determined whether colostrum supplementation had any effect on rowing performance and/or recovery. Information on bovine colostrum; Biological components of bovine colostrum; Description of the experimental manipulations that have been imposed on the female rowers who are included in the study.

Examines the effects of caffeine ingestion on the rowing performance in competitive oarswomen. Laboratory studies on the ergogenic effect of caffeine on moderate intensity endurance exercise capacity; Methodology of the study; Results of the study.

This paper uses a Foucauldian framework for understanding how human experience is shaped by relations of power to explore the weight management practices of members of a women's lightweight rowing team, Like other forms of disciplinary power, making weight involves implementing a regimen governed by normalizing assumptions, maintained through self-monitoring, and supported by discourse. The practices of making weight also are examined as a technology of the self that the rowers used to create and understand themselves. The position of women's sport at the intersection of sports and gender discourse offered the rowers opportunities to oppose relations of power while reinforcing their limits within the confines of a disciplinary matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of the Women’s Amateur Rowing Association (WARA) in 1923 marked the start of a new phase of the sport’s history. Apart from any direct influence it could exercise as a governing body, its foundation suggests a commitment to building the longevity, reach and relevance of women’s rowing. Yet in the context of the renowned conservativism of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) which preceded it, and the complex social permissions around women’s sport in the early twentieth century, it also raises important questions about the organisation and status of women’s amateur rowing. This paper aims to extend the understanding of the WARA using prosopographical data and analysis in conjunction with archival material. It challenges the existing depiction of this sporting community and administration as a female reflection of the ARA, aiming to replicate its structures and, in doing so, to bolster its respectability and the legitimacy of its practice among the middle and upper classes. Analysis addresses the intersection of domestic, professional and sporting lives, the role of education in sporting participation and administration, and the influence of class across these issues. The paper also interrogates the use of prosopography as an analytical tool for this type of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The impact that the menstrual cycle phase has on the energy demands of the female athlete is now a less known topic. Often, menstrual dysfunction can be reported, through hormonal changes, associated with stress, caused by training, mentioning either volume, or intensity of the effort as influence factors. Aim. Establishing energy requirements, along with determining the proportion of macronutrients in association with the menstruation period. Material and method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2016, in Bucharest, Romania, on a group of 26 elite female rowers. The parameters analysed were related to the menstrual cycle of the athletes, in direct relationship with metabolic and respiratory parameters, determined through Cosmed Quark CPET equipment, applying the activity protocol regarding the resting metabolic rate (RMR). Results. In the study group (20.9±2.69 years), has been determined an energy requirement equivalent to 32.1±6.13 kcal/kg/day, divided into carbohydrates (317±89.2 gr/day) and lipids (104±55.4 gr/day), representing non protein food elements. Thus, it is noted that an increase in carbohydrate consumption proportion, during rest periods (%), was associated with menstrual cycle periods (0.231±0.43) during the test. Also, lack of menstruation (0.15±0.36) was associated with increased respiratory exchange ratio (0.86±0.04), and a decrease proportion of fat consumed during rest periods. Conclusions. Proper adaptation of the body, in different training seasons, within women athletes is directly related to energy intake, hormone levels, and recovery efficiency throughout distinct periods. Thus, various external factors will favour lack of menstrual cycle, hormonal imbalance, involving a decreased proportion of lipids used as energy source during recovery periods, increased CO2 value, along with increased respiratory exchange ratio, indicating energy metabolism inefficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Venice between the middle ages and the modern era, a number of cultural entertainments as well as sporting contests and popular games were performed to celebrate the carnival and other important religious and civil events; these might include state visits of important people from abroad. Under control of the government, the organizers and participants of these events were of both noble and modest origins. Among them were the rival Castellani and Nicolotti groups who were common people living in the two main districts of Venice, and the well off young members of the Venetian aristocracy enrolled in numerous Compagnie della Calza (Companies of the Hosiery). The Castellani and Nicolotti regularly competed in popular games, such as the Gioco del Ponte, the Forze d'Ercole, the Moresca dance and in different kinds of boat races; the aristocrats enjoyed to personally practice sports such as hunting, fishing, horse riding and ball games. In addition, the latter collaborated in important state events leading to feasts and theatrical performances, and organized popular games, mock naval battles and regattas together with those in power. Among the regattas, the female rowing contests that started to take place in the middle ages was a unique, as, in general, the Venetian women were only allowed to be the gracious spectators in the numerous festivities organized for important visitors celebrating the glory of Venice. Drawing on both ancient and modern sources the paper will mainly focus on the less familiar Companies of the Hosiery and their contribute in the organization of mock naval battles and regattas till 1797, when Venice definitively lost its independency under Napoleon the First. Special stress will be given to the humble female rowers who were able to overcome the usual gender barriers training and racing for their own pleasure and amusement; they gave birth to an early model of female emancipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides descriptions of collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that have been acquired or more completely processed in 2012-2013. It comments on the Conrad Weiser Papers, covering the years 1741 to 1783, noting that Weiser, a German immigrant, served as an Indian affairs agent and fought as a lieutenant colonel in the British forces during the French and Indian War. Other collections discussed relate to lawyer James Gibson, political reformer and activist Herbert Welsh, and the Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club (PGRC) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The article presents research on physical training and conditioning to determine if the menstrual cycle of or use of oral contraceptives by women rowers affects their aerobic endurance performance. Twenty four women rowers were tested during differing phases of the menstrual cycle. No significant effects on the aerobic power performance of the rowers attributable to the menstrual cycle of the oral contraceptives were found.

The purpose of this study was to propose a systematic method for the identification of training strategies and team selection using isoperformance curves. Rowing is a sport that relies on both aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions during a standard 2,000 m competition. The critical velocity model combines both aerobic (critical velocity, CV) and anaerobic (anaerobic rowing capacity, ARC) parameters in a single two-dimensional graphic display. The concept of isoperformance curves, a series of linear equations corresponding to minimum performance standards, allows for an objective overview of a large group of athletes of varying talent. The purpose of this study was to develop physiological profiles from the CV test, and to evaluate results with isoperformance curves to identify training strategies for collegiate rowers. Thirty-five female collegiate rowers completed four time trials over various distances (400, 600, 800, and 1,000 m). CV and ARC were calculated and compared between novice and varsity athletes. CV values for the varsity group were significantly higher than the novice group (P = 0.016). No significant differences were found between groups for ARC (P = 0.068). Mean and individual CV and ARC values were plotted on the x- and y-axes, respectively, and junior, collegiate, and elite isoperformance curves were developed using 2,000 m times from recent indoor rowing competitions. Stratification of athletes through isoperformance curves was used to identify specific training interventions (anaerobic and/or aerobic) needed to improve their 2,000 m performance. The information drawn from isoperformance curves and the parameters of the CV test can be used to provide an objective view of physiological capabilities and training needs on both an individual and team basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine whether a multi-dimensional intervention programme was effective in reducing the incidence of low back pain (LBP) and the associated levels of pain and disability in schoolgirl rowers. This non-randomised controlled trial involved an intervention (INT) group consisting of 90 schoolgirl rowers from one school and a control (CTRL) group consisting of 131 participants from three other schools. All participants in the INT group underwent a multi-dimensional programme that consisted of an individualised exercise programme based on an individual musculoskeletal screening (Week 1) and a LBP education session conducted by a physiotherapist (Week 2) and performed an off-water-conditioning programme conducted by a Physical Education teacher. All exercises were undertaken during the season. Primary outcome variables collected at Start-season, Mid-season, End-season and Post-season included the incidence of LBP and related levels of pain and disability. Secondary outcome variables from the bio-psycho-social domain were measured at Start-season and End-season in the INT group only. The INT group had a lower incidence of LBP at Mid-season and End-season and displayed significantly better results than the CTRL group for improvers and non-improvers with respect to the levels of pain and disability. The INT group following the intervention also displayed improved physical fitness levels, sat with significantly less anterior tilt of the pelvis and lumbar kyphosis when in their usual sitting posture and demonstrated positive changes in their behaviour. The multi-dimensional approach to reducing the incidence of LBP, pain and disability in schoolgirl rowers in this study was effective. Several secondary outcome variables measured in the INT group considered to be of importance in LBP significantly improved. These included physical fitness (aerobic conditioning, lower limb and back muscle endurance and sit and reach flexibility) and seated posture (usual and slump sitting). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rib injuries are common in collegiate rowing. The purpose of this case report is to provide insight into examination, evaluation, and treatment of persistent costochondritis in an elite athlete as well as propose an explanation for chronic dysfunction. The case involved a 21 year old female collegiate rower with multiple episodes of costochondritis over a 1-year period of time. Symptoms were localized to the left third costosternal junction and bilaterally at the fourth costosternal junction with moderate swelling. Initial interventions were directed at the costosternal joint, but only mild, temporary relief of symptoms was attained. Reexamination findings included hypomobility of the upper thoracic spine, costovertebral joints, and lateral ribs. Interventions included postural exercises and manual therapies directed at the lateral and posterior rib structures to improve rib and thoracic spine mobility. Over a 3-week time period pain experienced throughout the day had subsided (visual analog scale - VAS 0/10). She was able to resume running and elliptical aerobic training with minimal discomfort (VAS 2/10) and began to reintegrate into collegiate rowing. Examination of the lateral ribs, cervical and thoracic spine should be part of the comprehensive evaluation of costochondritis. Addressing posterior hypomobility may have allowed for a more thorough recovery in this case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While women's rowing events were formally introduced onto the programme of the European Rowing Championships in 1954, oarswomen had long been paddling across lakes and rivers throughout the world. As early as the 1500s, there were references made to women's participation in the sport. However, like other sports, the majority of information on the history of rowing has focussed primarily on men's participation. It has been recognized that socially elite men were the sole participants in the sport of rowing at private clubs and academic institutions during their leisure time, while working-class men rowed along canals, rivers and lakes throughout the world for their livelihood. As a result, the elite were able to define who was permitted to participate in 'amateur' rowing and on what terms, while professional rowing was reserved for labourers. This article seeks to examine the history of women's participation in the sport of rowing prior to the middle of the twentieth-century. It will show that early female rowing enthusiasts were not mere bystanders; when they found themselves excluded, female rowers were not deterred from participation and created their own rowing opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses morphological features of rowers with the aim to establish a rower's body build model. Three factors were isolated in the factor analysis. Factor 1 related to body mass, body circumferences and adiposity was found to be the highest contributor to total variance in the group of male and female rowers under study. A secondary role was attributed to Factor 2 connected with body length and horizontal reach and - in female sweep rowers - to body circumferences and adiposity. It is supposed that ascribing the highest significance to the most eco-sensitive features results not only from the process of selection of prospective rowers, but is also an effect of strength and endurance training. A tertiary role was ascribed to Factor 3 related to body length parameters, which can be explained by the subjects' young age and their ongoing physical development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the efficacy of specific exercise interventions in preventing lower back pain (LBP) in adolescent female rowers. Eighty-two female rowers aged between 13-17 years participated in the study conducted in Curtin University of Technology and a private school boatshed in Western Australia. The research concluded that intervention through specific physiotherapy was able to reduce the pain intensity of LBP among the subjects.

The article presents a study which examined the association between stroke rate and gross efficiency (egross), and the use of negative power output during stroke cycle (Pnegative) as determinant of internal power losses. Seventeen female rowers were the participants of the study, who rowed three randomized trials in a modified rowing ergometer at different stroke levels. Power output, egross, and average stroke length during rowing cycle were assessed. Results showed that there is no relationship between egross and stroke rate, and that Pnegative is not a viable determinant of internal power loss.

This article discusses the introduction of women's rowing as a sports competition in the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal, Quebec. The role of lobbying in the International Olympic Committee's decision to incorporate women's rowing among the sports contests at the games is addressed. The efforts of the British rower Amy Gentry and the Women's Amateur Rowing Association of Great Britain to promote the sport as an Olympic event is framed in terms of their efforts to lobby male rowing administrators who acted as gatekeepers. The promotion of women's rowing during the mid-twentieth century by the Soviet Union Olympic Committee is also explored.

In this study, we assessed the extent to which 2000-m rowing ergometer performance predicted final rankings at the World Junior Rowing Championship in a sample of 398 junior rowers competing in 13 events. The rowers' ergometer performance times were examined using a questionnaire, and in all 13 events they correlated (P ≤ 0.039) with the final rankings at the Championship. The strongest correlations were observed for ergometer performance times in junior women's single sculls (r = 0.92; P < 0.001), followed by junior men's single sculls (r = 0.80; P < 0.001) and junior women's double sculls (r = 0.79; P < 0.001). The observed correlations were higher for smaller boats - singles, doubles, and pairs (r = 0.64-0.92; P ≤ 0.025) - than for larger boats - quads, fours, and eights (r = 0.31-0.70; P ≤ 0.039). Linear regression analyses were used to construct regression equations to predict final rankings based on 2000-m rowing ergometer performance times for each event. Although correlations in 10 of the 13 events were above r = 0.5, the large standard errors of the estimate impaired the prediction of rankings in all of the studied events. Using these equations, the most probable rowing ergometer performance times required for a particular ranking in a given rowing event might easily be calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the distribution of blood hemoglobin levels in healthy blood donors and elite athletes, a retrospective cohort study from 2001 to 2005 of candidate blood donors and elite rowers in Denmark was performed. Eighty-five thousand eight hundred and forty-six blood donors were identified (36 962 males), and 3.9% of the males had a blood hemoglobin above 10.5 mM, equalling a hematocrit of 51% and, 1.6% of the females had hemoglobin above 9.7 mM, corresponding to a hematocrit above 47%. One thousand four hundred and six rowers (1116 males) were investigated and 10.4% of the males and 8.3% of the females demonstrated values above the recommended limit for athletic competition. Thus, the prevalence of a high hemoglobin value was greater in the rowers, of both gender, than in the candidate blood donors ( P<0.0001). The data demonstrate that high hemoglobin levels in blood are seen regularly in normal people and especially in competition athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endurance training at intensities approximating maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) may heighten exercise adaptations while minimizing risk of overtraining. Measuring MLSS in the laboratory is labor intensive; however, time trial events are relatively simple and often completed in endurance sports. To determine if a relationship exists between the average workload during a 6 km rowing time trial and MLSS workload, female Division I rowers (age 20.1± 0.2yrs, VO2 peak 46.4±0.8ml/kg/min, n=23) underwent a maximal power output test on the rowing ergometer (max power 263.5 ± 5.9 W), and MLSS determined using 30 min constant workload bouts of rowing (mean MLSS 2.64 ± 0.1mmol/l). Subsequently, subjects completed a 6 km time trial to determine time and mean power. A significant relationship was found between mean power output and MLSS workload (r² =0.8377, p<.0001). Mean power output during the 6 km time trial (214.4 ± 4.8W) was greater than the average MLSS power output (168.6 ± 4.1W). Utilizing the regression equation: y = 0.7793x + 1.5041, where x = mean 6 km time trial workload and y = MLSS workload, individual MLSS intensity can be predicted. For rowers, as the time to complete a 6 km time trial decreases, MLSS workload increases. Results suggest that training to improve MLSS workload may improve 6 km time trial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical characteristics and performances of female collegiate rowers were examined from two perspectives: level (novice, varsity) and years of participation (0, 1, 2, 3) in collegiate rowing. The participants were 90 female collegiate rowers from three US Division I university teams, of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Height, body mass, sitting height, arm span, skinfolds, limb circumferences, and skeletal breadths were measured. Leg length was estimated and Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotypes were calculated. Performance measures included lower-back flexibility, vertical jump, and 2-km time on a rowing ergometer. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the total sample and by level and years of experience. Multivariate analysis of variance and a Bonferroni-adjusted alpha level (P < 0.05) were used to test differences. Varsity rowers had significantly more rowing experience (∼0.5 years) before college, higher vertical jumps (∼3 cm), faster 2-km times (∼25 s), and lower endomorphic characteristics than novice rowers. Anthropometric and performance differences among rowers by years of experience were negligible with the exception of slower 2-km times (∼32 s) in rowers with no collegiate experience than rowers with collegiate experience. In conclusion, collegiate rowers differ to some extent in physical and performance characteristics by level and experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and maximal oxygen uptake in female college rowers. We assessed resting left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in 22 female college rowers (mean age, 19 y) utilizing M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography and in a multivariate analysis, and investigated the relationship of these indexes with maximal oxygen uptake, measured separately during 6-min rowing ergometer exercise. Among variables, absolute maximal oxygen uptake (V·O 2max expressed in l/min) had the strongest correlation with distance for the 6 min of rowing ergometer exercise (r = 0.854, p < 0.0001). Among echocardiographic variables, left ventricular mass (LVM ) showed the strongest correlation with absolute V·O 2max (l/min) (r = 0.836, p < 0.0001). Left ventricular and atrial dimensions also correlated with absolute V·O 2max (l/min). However, no correlation with absolute V·O 2max (l/min) was observed in early peak velocity (E), atrial peak velocity (A) and the E/A ratio. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified only LVM as independent correlates of absolute V·O 2max (l/min) (p < 0.001). These results indicate that LVM contributes significantly to absolute maximal oxygen uptake associated with the better rowing performance in college female rowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: LARIVIERE, J. A., T. L. ROBINSON, and C. M. SNOW. Spine Bone Mineral Density Increases in Experienced but not Novice Collegiate Female Rowers. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 35, No. 10, pp. 1740-1744, 2003.PURPOSE There is evidence that rowing exercise targets the spine, but the dose of exercise required to build bone is poorly understood. To further explore this topic, we studied the bone response at the spine in novice and experienced female collegiate rowers over their 6-month competitive season. We hypothesized that, with rowing strokes similar between groups during training, experienced rowers would produce greater force at the spine than novices and thus, gain more bone mineral density (BMD).METHODS Subjects included 16 experienced rowers (21.2 ± 1.2 yr) who had been rowing 26 ± 10 months and 19 novice rowers (19.5 ± 0.8 yr) who had been rowing three months and 14 controls (19.2 ± 1.6 yr). BMD was assessed by DXA at baseline and after the 6-month competitive season. During the season, all rowers participated in the same training program and took approximately the same number of strokes per training session (1000-1200 repetitions). On the 2000- and 6000-m rowing ergometer tests experienced rowers had faster times, indicating that their power output, and thus force production, was greater than novices.RESULTS In ANCOVA, adjusting for body mass index, age, and initial BMD, the experienced rowers demonstrated a 2.5% increase at the spine that was significantly different than that of the novice rowers, but BMD change scores in the rowing groups were not different than controls.CONCLUSION Because the number of strokes (repetitions) was similar between rowing groups during training, the higher power output in experienced rowers produced higher forces at the spine over the 6-month period that resulted in gains in spine BMD. These results support the theory that force magnitude is a key variable in osteogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 1997 Federation Internationale des Societes d'Aviron (FISA) World Junior Rowing Championships, the anthropometric characteristics of 245 female junior rowers aged 17.5 ± 0.8 years (mean ± s) were assessed. Twenty-seven body dimensions (body mass, 6 heights or lengths, 4 breadths, 10 girths and 6 skinfolds) were measured in total. The elite female junior rowers were taller (174.5 ± 6.2 cm) and heavier (69.5 ± 6.2 kg), with greater length, breadth and girth dimensions, but lower skinfold thicknesses than a representative sample of Flemish (Belgian) girls of the same chronological age. An anthropometric profile chart was constructed that was rowing-specific and norms were established. Compared with scullers, sweep rowers were heavier (+4.2 kg) and taller (+2.8 cm), with greater length, breadth (except for femur width) and girth dimensions (except for calf girth). Sweep rowers also had greater skinfold thicknesses (except for the thigh and calf skinfolds). Finalists were heavier (+3.6 kg) and taller (+3.9 cm), with greater length, breadth (except for femur width) and girth dimensions (except for calf girth) than non-finalists. No significant differences were found for skinfold thicknesses between finalists and non-finalists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case study on a stress fracture of the eighth rib in a female collegiate rower. Overview of rowing; Case history; Discussion and conclusions.

Saliva immunoglobulins (sIgA, sIgG, and sIgM) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) rates were evaluated in 20 elite female rowers and 19 nonathletes. Also, the influence of carbohydrate versus placebo beverage consumption on saliva immunoglobulin responses to rowing training sessions was measured in 15 rowers and in 5 non-exercising rowers. Saliva samples were collected 1 day before, and 5–10 min and 1.5 h after rowing or rest. Pre-exercise sIgA (but not sIgG or sIgM) concentration was 77% higher in the rowers compared to nonathletes (P < 0.001). Health records kept over 2 months revealed mean 5.2 (SEM 1.2) and 3.3 (SEM 1.1) days with URTI symptoms for the rowers and controls, respectively. For all 39 subjects, and for the 20 rowers separately, no significant correlation was found between URTI symptoms or insulin, cortisol, and growth hormone concentrations and pre-exercise or exercise-related changes in saliva immunoglobulin concentrations or secretion rates. The patterns of change in saliva immunoglobulin concentration and secretion rate did not differ between the carbohydrate and placebo rowing trials, or between exercised and rested athletes. These data indicated an increased sIgA concentration in the female elite rowers compared to the nonathletes, no association between saliva immunoglobulins and URTI, and no effect of a normal 2-hour training session or carbohydrate ingestion on saliva immunoglobulin concentrations or secretion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case studies related to causes of dyspnea. Topics discussed include dyspnea associated with a presyncopal episode in a 19-year-old female endurance athlete, an unsuspecting case of systemic illness in a 55-year-old national-level cyclist, and dyspnea and pulmonary hypertension in a 23-year-old female rower. Tables showing nonpulmonary causes of dyspnea in athletes and suggested investigation for dyspnea in athletes are also presented.

The article presents several case studies of various chest pain in athletes due to musculoskeletal causes including the chest pain by a 19-year-old female rower, the left-sided chest pain and trouble breathing by a 16-year-old female basketball player, and the right lateral chest wall pain by a 23-year-old golfer. Topics discussed include the intercostal muscle injury, the rib stress fracture, and the cervical disk disease.

Examines evidence of social loafing among elite female rowers when performing a simulation rowing task under alone and group conditions. Measurements of performance; Evidence of concomitant changes in mood using the Profile of Mood States inventory; Loafing effect on group tasks.

The article presents a case study of a nineteen-year-old, right-hand-dominant female rower who was presented with left periscapular pain. It is inferred that the patient experiences pain the most when she was training on the ergometer. Diagnosis revealed neck and shoulder motion with normal limits as well as tenderness over the inferior aspect of the left scapula and lateral chest wall. It also discusses rib stress fractures as a common cause of chest pain, neck pain, or periscapular pain.