The association of the step duration in an incremental protocol in the rower ergometer and the maximal lactate steady state intensity

• Published in: Motricidade Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: Fraga, Pedro, Rama, Luis Manuel Pinto Lopes, dos Santos, José Augusto Rodrigues, De Oliveira, Eduardo Nuno Moitas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Ribeira de Pena Edições Desafio Singular 01.06.2023; Desafio Singular
• Subjects: Anaerobic threshold; Athletes; Concept2 rowing; Data analysis; Heart rate; MLSS; Rowing; SPORT SCIENCES; steptest; Japan; steptest; Concept2 rowing; maximum lactate steady-state test; anaerobic threshold
• ISSN: 1646-107X; 2182-2972
• DOI: 10.6063/motricidade.27686

This study aims to analyse which are better step duration related to the maximum lactate steady-state test (MLSS) intensity and the intensity equivalent to the accumulation of 4mmol/L lactate (AnT4) determined through an incremental protocol using a rowing ergometer, using different steps durations (step3min, step5min, step7min). Ten elite Portuguese rowers (25.1 ± 4.82 years; 177.5 ± 5.50 cm; 69.8 ± 2.74 kg) performed rowing ergometer protocols to determine the maximum lactate steady state (MLSS). Subsequently, incremental tests were realised to determine AnT4, using different step durations (step3min, step5min, step7min). The results showed a strong correlation between MLSS and AnT4 (r>0.90; ^<0.001) obtained AnT different steps (step3min, step5min, step7min). However, the determined intensity equivalent to 4mmol/L obtained with different step durations that showed the highest correlation with MLSS (246.5 ± 35.20W) was verified in the protocol of 7minute steps (251.5 ± 35,72W). The present study indicates that the use of 7 minutes steps is the most appropriate for determining the AnT4 intensity related to the aerobic component of a high-performance rowing athlete.