TY - JOUR
T1 - High Energetic Demand of Elite Rowing – Implications for Training and Nutrition
AU - Winkert, Kay
AU - Steinacker, Juergen M.
AU - Koehler, Karsten
AU - Treff, Gunnar
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Winkert, Steinacker, Koehler and Treff.
PY - 2022/4/19
Y1 - 2022/4/19
N2 - Purpose: Elite rowers have large body dimensions, a high metabolic capacity, and they realize high training loads. These factors suggest a high total energy requirement (TER), due to high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and additional energetic needs. We aimed to study EEE and intensity related substrate utilization (SU) of elite rowers during rowing (EEEROW) and other (EEENON-ROW) training. Methods: We obtained indirect calorimetry data during incremental (N = 174) and ramp test (N = 42) ergometer rowing in 14 elite open-class male rowers (body mass 91.8 kg, 95% CI [87.7, 95.9]). Then we calculated EEEROW and SU within a three-intensity-zone model. To estimate EEENON-ROW, appropriate estimates of metabolic equivalents of task were applied. Based on these data, EEE, SU, and TER were approximated for prototypical high-volume, high-intensity, and tapering training weeks. Data are arithmetic mean and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: EEEROW for zone 1 to 3 ranged from 15.6 kcal·min−1, 95% CI [14.8, 16.3] to 49.8 kcal·min−1, 95% CI [48.1, 51.6], with carbohydrate utilization contributing from 46.4%, 95% CI [42.0, 50.8] to 100.0%, 95% CI [100.0, 100.0]. During a high-volume, a high-intensity, or a taper week, TER was estimated to 6,775 kcal·day−1, 95% CI [6,651, 6,898], 5,772 kcal·day−1, 95% CI [5,644, 5,900], or 4,626 kcal∙day−1, 95% CI [4,481, 4,771], respectively. Conclusion: EEE in elite open-class male rowers is remarkably high already during zone 1 training and carbohydrates are dominantly utilized, indicating relatively high metabolic stress even during low intensity rowing training. In high-volume training weeks, TER is presumably at the upper end of the sustainable total energy expenditure. Periodized nutrition seems warranted for rowers to avoid low energy availability, which might negatively impact performance, training, and health.
AB - Purpose: Elite rowers have large body dimensions, a high metabolic capacity, and they realize high training loads. These factors suggest a high total energy requirement (TER), due to high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and additional energetic needs. We aimed to study EEE and intensity related substrate utilization (SU) of elite rowers during rowing (EEEROW) and other (EEENON-ROW) training. Methods: We obtained indirect calorimetry data during incremental (N = 174) and ramp test (N = 42) ergometer rowing in 14 elite open-class male rowers (body mass 91.8 kg, 95% CI [87.7, 95.9]). Then we calculated EEEROW and SU within a three-intensity-zone model. To estimate EEENON-ROW, appropriate estimates of metabolic equivalents of task were applied. Based on these data, EEE, SU, and TER were approximated for prototypical high-volume, high-intensity, and tapering training weeks. Data are arithmetic mean and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: EEEROW for zone 1 to 3 ranged from 15.6 kcal·min−1, 95% CI [14.8, 16.3] to 49.8 kcal·min−1, 95% CI [48.1, 51.6], with carbohydrate utilization contributing from 46.4%, 95% CI [42.0, 50.8] to 100.0%, 95% CI [100.0, 100.0]. During a high-volume, a high-intensity, or a taper week, TER was estimated to 6,775 kcal·day−1, 95% CI [6,651, 6,898], 5,772 kcal·day−1, 95% CI [5,644, 5,900], or 4,626 kcal∙day−1, 95% CI [4,481, 4,771], respectively. Conclusion: EEE in elite open-class male rowers is remarkably high already during zone 1 training and carbohydrates are dominantly utilized, indicating relatively high metabolic stress even during low intensity rowing training. In high-volume training weeks, TER is presumably at the upper end of the sustainable total energy expenditure. Periodized nutrition seems warranted for rowers to avoid low energy availability, which might negatively impact performance, training, and health.
KW - elite sport
KW - exercise energy expenditure
KW - indirect calorimetry
KW - nutrition
KW - rowers
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129546727&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fphys.2022.829757
DO - 10.3389/fphys.2022.829757
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85129546727
SN - 1664-042X
VL - 13
JO - Frontiers in Physiology
JF - Frontiers in Physiology
M1 - 829757
ER -