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Table 2: Changes in kayak rowers’ aerobic capacity
indices during the first year of Olympic four-year cycle.
Testing Athletes Critical intensity limit La
HR
b/min
VO2
ml/min/kg
W
I 1 168 56.1 280 11.9
2 156 61.2 240 7.2
II 1 178 67.5 320 12.2
2 135 64.7 280 12.3
III 1 174 66.7 340 12.1
2 147 73.4 320 12.9
out in the fifth zone of intensity. Training sessions,
which were carried out during the competitive
period, were not of increased intensity, the athletes
participated in eight competitions (28 starts).
During the preparation period, aerobic capacity
indices under investigation used to progress
remarkably for both of the athletes (Table 2).
The obtained research data on aerobic capacity
have disclosed individual skills of the athletes, as
well as the evolution of such skills.
4 DISCUSSION
The training load which is applied in preparing
athletes is divided into different zones of intensity
base on various indices. Bompa, Haff (2009) explain
such division into zones for the sport by prevailing
aerobic capacity due to biochemical processes in
muscles. According to Vescovi et al (2011) at the
beginning of the season training on the boat is
introduced three times a week, dedicated to the
development or recovery of aerobic capacity with
long outings (60-90 minutes), performed at a HR
between 50 - 60% of the maximum. With the pre-
competition phase, the workout on the boat increases
and reaches up to six times a week. The total amount
of workout is decreased with a further intensification
of the introduced exercises. Our investigation
showed decreased amount of workload hours in
competitive period in the first and the second zones
of intensity, and it was increased in the third zone of
intensity. According to Issurin (2008) the work in
this zone improves the function of cardio respiratory
systems without great acidity effect on the body.
Rowing 1000 m distance causes reaching critical
intensity limit and VO
2
max (Bishop et al., 2002).
Analysis of the intensity and volume of our
investigated athletes’ training sessions in
competitive period shows that very little workload
used to be carried out in the fifth zone of intensity
while preparing for first competition of the season.
Although flat water kayaking performance is highly
supported by aerobic metabolism, it does require a
large anaerobic contribution what reduces the
absolute importance of the aerobic energetic
pathway (Galrcia-Pallares et al., 2010).
Low-intensity work remained widely unchanged
at approximately 95% throughout the season. In the
competition period, the athletes exhibited a shift
within <2 mmol exercise toward lower intensity and
within the remaining approximately 5% of total
rowing toward more training near VO
2
max intensity
(Seiler, 1009).
The obtained research data on aerobic capacity
have disclosed individual skills of the athletes, as
well as the evolution of such skills. The results
provide preconditions for more individualized
preparation of the athletes, and prove the fact that
training load should not be decreased remarkably in
a short transitory period, as the purpose of such load
is to maintain aerobic capacity.
REFERENCES
Bishop, D., Bonetti, D., Dawson, B., 2002. The influence
of pacing strategy on VO2 and supramaximal kayak
performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and
Exercise. 34(6): 1041-7.
Bompa, T., Haff, G.G., 2009. Periodization. Theory and
Methodology for training. Human Kinetics. 5
th
edition.
Garcia-Palleres, J., Garcia-Fernandez, M., Sancher-
Medina, L., Izquierdo, M., 2010. Performance changes
in world-class kayakers following two different
training periodization models. European Journal
Applying Physiology. 110. 99-107.
Issurin V., 2008. Block Periodization: Breakthrough in
Sport Training. Yessis M. ed. Michigan: Ultimate
Athlete Concepts.
Guellich A, Seiler S, Emrich E., 2009. Training methods
and intensity distribution of young world-class rowers.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and
Performance. 4(4):448-460.
Vescovi, M. M.D., Bronzini, D., Bruttini, F.M.D.,
Mortara, A., Nakou, I.M.D., 2011. Building kayak
excellence: from the adolescent to the elite athlete.
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference
Proceedings. 5 (2). Article 8.