Relationship between experience and training characteristics with performance in non-Olympic rowing modalities

Abstract

Rowing is considered one of the most complete sports in relation to physical and physiological demands, therefore training is one of its main research line. However, there is no scientific evidence of studies that relate training characteristics and experience with performance in competition. The aim of this study was to relate high and low performance rowers’ experience and training characteristics of non-Olympic rowing modalities. A group of 115 male rowers from the Spanish National Championships volunteered to participate in the study. Age, experience, training days per week and training hours per day were obtained for each rower. For high performance group, inrigger is characterized by rowers who train significantly more days per week (6.93±0.26 days) and more hours per day (4.13±1.33 hours) than low performance rowers (5.96±0.87 days and 2.12±0.67 hours). On the other hand, high performance fixed seat rowers are significantly more experienced (11.65±5.11 years) than low performance rowers (7.56±7.04 years). Furthermore, they train significantly more days per week (6.43±0.66 days) than low performance fixed seat rowers (4.80±1.40 days). Therefore, this research concludes that there is a direct relationship of these variables with performance in different modalities, which highlights the usefulness of the results for coaches for the implementation of training programs and selection of rowers for best results competition.