Comparative analysis of heart rate response in traditional rowing during short- and long-distance competitions

This study aimed to compare the heart rate responses of experienced traditional rowers during short- and long distance competitions and to quantify and compare the workload associated with each modality during the competition. Thirteen highly trained traditional rowers participated in this study divided into two groups based on the competition modality: seven short-distance rowers (height 182.8 ± 6.5 cm, body mass 78.7 ± 4.4 kg,BMI 23.5 ± 1.2 kg/m²) competing in the 1400 m race, and six long-distance rowers (height 178.5±4.8 cm, body mass 75.0 ± 6.4 kg, BMI 23.5 ± 1.4 kg/m²) competing in the 5556 m race. To assess the heart rate workloads of the rowers, a 7×4-minute incremental step test was conducted on a rowing ergometer, and internal load data were collected during the respective competitions for each modality. The z-test was used to calculate the comparison of proportions based on the quotient resulting from dividing effect errors. Findings indicate that both short distance and long-distance rowers spent significantly more competition time (p<0.001) in zone 6 (301.1 ± 48.2 s; 77.2 ± 12.4% and 1124.2 ± 127.5 s; 87.3 ± 9.9%, respectively) and in zone 5 (63.7 ± 49.6 s, 16.3 ± 12.7% and 113.8 ± 95.2 s, 8.8 ± 7.4%, respectively). Furthermore, significantly more competition time (p<0.001) at high intensity during their respective competitions was spent by both groups (short-distance group 349 ± 18.1 s, 89.5 ± 4.6% and long-distance group 1213.3 ± 64 s, 94.2 ± 5%). Conversely, a higher percentage of time in both low zones and low intensity was spent by the short-distance group (p<0.05). However, a higher percentage in zone 6 and at high intensity was spent by the long-distance group (p<0.001). Finally, a significantly higher workload was exhibited by the long-distance competition compared to the short-distance competition (p<0.001). These findings hold significant value for coaches and athletes as they provide essential information regarding the percentage of time spent in each work zone, enabling the design of individualized training programs based on the type of competition being prepared for.This work was supported by Generalitat Valenciana (grant number CIGE/2022/15