Abstract des Autors

The aim of research was to evaluate the energy expenditure and cardiac load in young sailors of the Optimist class. Metabolic parameters as oxygen uptake VO2, carbon dioxide output VCO2 and heart rate HR were measured on the sea by means of the K4 metabolimeter. In the laboratory on the treadmill the maximal aerobic power was measured by means of a breath by breath metabolimeter (Quark b**2 Cosmed, Italy) using a stepwise incremental ergometer test. On the specific boat simulator (Sailing Fitness, Harken, Italy) the cardiac output was evaluated by means of the CO2-rebreathing method. Arterial blood pressure was measured during this period using sphygmomanometric method. The heart work due to hiking was calculated as Q times mean arterial pressure (MAP). In the young athletes, as was previously obtained in the adults, the energy demand of sailing was calculated to about 50% of VO2max. Conversely the cardiac load resulted very demanding (about 3 times the resting values). On the basis of our results the young sailor's dietary requirement can be estimated at about 200 extra calories for each hour spent at sea. Verf.-Referat