Abstract

Characteristics of the physical development level, physical and functional capacity are very important in rowing. In Lithuania testing of physical maturity and functional preparedness in rowers is carried out for many years, but in lightweight rowers this type of testing started quite recently, even in the world scale, database of scientific data on lightweight rowers is not affluent. Therefore it is topical to analyse training of this rowers’ group using methods of sports science. Objective of our research was to explore indices of the physical development level, physical and functional capacity of lightweight rowers of Lithuania and to compare this data to the data of the best rowers of the world (carry out the comparative analysis). Organisation and methods. Five best lightweight rowers of Lithuania (men, LM1x, LM4x) have been tested. Indices of physical development have been measured. For the ergometric testing, rowing ergometer Concept II has been employed. Using gas analyzer ERGOOXCREEN and rowing without a break for 10 minutes and gradually increasing working load until use of O2 stops increasing, it was measured pulse rate and rowing power, oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), at the critical intensity limit. Anaerobic power has been assessed using 10s and 30s rowing tests. In our research we used analysis methods, as follows: synthesis – collected data was explored and relevant data selected; systemic analysis – data handling. Discussion. We have compared data of the best men lightweight rowers of Lithuania to the high performance lightweight rowers of other countries as well as to the data of lightweight rowers – participants of Atlanta Olympic Games and World Championships 1997 and 1998. The most significant difference is to be seen when comparing to the LM2x World Championships winners (years 1997 and 1998) and to the best lightweight rowers of Estonia. Least difference of height means was among the best men lightweight rowers of Lithuania and lightweight rowers – participants of Atlanta Olympic Games. Having analysed VO2max and oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold of the best men lightweight rowers of Lithuania, it have been established that mean maximal oxygen uptake is 4,45 ± 0,28 l/min, mean relative maximal oxygen uptake - 59,35 ± 3,2ml/min/kg, oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold 3,74 ± 0,2 l/min, relative maximal oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold - 49,75 ± 1,96 ml/min/kg; oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold from VO2max – 83,8%. Analysing data of rowing ergometre testing of the best men lightweight rowers of Lithuania we found that 10s maximal instantaneous value is 711,6 ± 11,46W, 10s mean value 581,96 ± 9,57W, 30s max power 603,2 ± 12,66W, heart rate after the load was 180 ± 2,11 beats/min. These indices fall quite significantly behind the strongest heavier weight rowers of Lithuania. Verf.-Referat