Physiological correlates of performance. Case study of a world-class rower

Abstract

This report describes the changes in physiological capacity of a heavy-weight rower who obtained seven medals in World Championships and Olympic Games. The investigation was carried out over the last 6 years of the rower’s international competition career in comparison with peer champions, and the following 4 years. Over the first period, maximal oxygen uptake ($\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$) remained above 6 l min⁻¹ which is an outstanding value. The training load measured over the last 18 months of the period increased from 119 to 142 km wk⁻¹ of rowing. Four years after the international competition period, $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ had only declined by 3.6% although the training load had declined by 35%. These data suggest that the ability of this rower to compete at top level for years was related to ability to maintain an outstanding $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$. Gross efficiency and ability to rely on anaerobic glycolysis did not emerge as relevant factors.