european college of sport science

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
STRESS AND RECOVERY OF NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR ROWERS PREPARING FOR THE 2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:
COMPARISON TO THE 1998 GERMAN NATIONAL ROWING TEAM
NOTTLE, C., VAN WARMERDAM, M.
WAIKATO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Introduction: Manipulation of training load is a key stimulus for improved performance, however overtraining can result in performance
declines and burnout. Previously Kellmann et al [1] examined the stress, recovery and training duration of the German (GER) Junior Rowing
Team preparing for the 1998 World Championships. The aim of the current investigation was to compare these results with the stress,
recovery and training duration of the New Zealand (NZL) Junior Rowing Team preparing for the 2008 World Championships.
Methods: Athletes from the New Zealand Junior National Rowing Team volunteer for the study (N=24, mean±SD age: 17.4±0.5 years,
height: 181.3±9.5 cm, weight: 81.3±10.1 kg, ∑8 skinfolds: 73.1±20.9). Athletes were monitored for 5 weeks of a training camp held
immediately prior to the 2008 World Junior Championships. Athletes completed five Recovery-Stress Questionnaires for Athletes (RESTQ-
Sport) and a daily training diary outlining mode, duration and intensity of training. Descriptive data (mean±SD) for each scale of the
RESTQ-Sport and training duration was determined for each week. These data were compared with data presented for the German
athletes via determination of z- or t-scores.
Results: No differences in training duration between the two groups was recorded (t=0.5) with average weekly durations of 1090 and 1109
hours reported for the NZL and GER athletes respectively. For the stress scales: NZL athletes reported significantly higher scores for emotional
stress (z=5.6), social stress (z=3.16), conflicts/pressure (z=3.9), fatigue (z=4.9), lack of energy (z=12.5) and physical complaints
(z=7.8). For the recovery scales: NZL athletes reported significantly lower social recovery (z=-11.6), physical recovery (z=-4.6), general well
being (z=-4.8) and sleep quality (z=-10.0). For the sport specific scales: NZL athletes reported significantly higher scores for disturbed
breaks (z=8.6), emotional exhaustion (z=12.0), and injury (z=10.1) and significantly lower scores for being in shape (z=-3.6) and self efficacy
(z=-2.6). At their respective events the GER athletes placed in 14/14 A finals (14 crews), with the NZL athletes placing in 3/3 A finals (5
crews).
Conclusions: While comparisons indicated no differences in training duration, the NZL athletes demonstrated higher stress and less
recovery compared to the GER athletes. It is possible this is the result of differences in training intensity not duration, which is demonstrated
to be related to overtraining (Halson et al. [2]). Although it is difficult to compare the performance outcomes of the teams, the long
term consequences of high stress: low recovery for the NZL athletes may be a concern with regards to athlete development, and progression
to seniors, due to the relationship between stress- recovery and burnout.
References
[1] Kellmann et al. (2001). The Sport Psychologist, 15, 151-167.
[2] Halson et al. (2006). International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1, 65-9.
HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND VO2 MAX, DURING A ROWING TRAINING SEASON: IMPLICATIONS FOR MONITORING
TRAINING ADAPTATION.
RAMA, L., TEIXEIRA, A., SANTOS, A., GOMES, B., MASSARD, A., ROSADO, F., ALVES, F.
FACULTY OF SPORT SCIENCES AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF COIMBRA
Objectives
In Sport Science it is generally accepted that aerobic training promotes higher Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and that intense training leads
to lower HRV. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of heart rate variability as a marker of training adaptation during a rowing
training season and it’s sensibility to training load variation.
Methods: 9 males of the national rowing team (22,2 ±2,0 years, 181,2±7,2cm height, 77,9±8,1Kg mass) were selected for this study. HRV
time domain (SDRR) and frequency domain (LF, HF absolute, relative and normalized units as was the LF/HF) were measured at rest
before a graded test conducted on a Concept II rower ergometer. VO2max, was evaluated and 4 time points controlled according to a
year training plan. The first evaluation (t1) took place in the begging of the training season after a transitory period during which the athletes
had been released for 5/6 weeks from their normal training. This allowed us to find out the basal values at the beginning of preparation
for the sport season. The second evaluation (t2) was done after the first 14 weeks of training with great aerobic predominance and
a gradual increment of training volume. The third evaluation (t3) took place at the 28th week, after a phase of intensity increment and a
small decrease on training volume. The final evaluation (t4) coincided with a training phase with the highest mean weekly volume and
intensity during the season and before a taper period. In this study we adopted a single group repeated measures design in which
athletes served as their own control subjects. All ethical presuppositions that a study of this scope compels have been verified.
Results: During the season, VO2max values were: t1=61,49 ± 6,21 ml.kg.min-1; t2=65,37 7,9621 ml.kg.min-1; t3=66,72
6,8021 ml.kg.min-1 and t4 =64,82 8,3021 ml.kg.min-1.
The VO2 at t3 was significantly higher (p