The Effect of a 2000-m Ergometer Test on Training Status Indicators and the Muscle Adaptation in Rowers

Multi-Faced Optimization of Sports Training Focused on Training Status Energy and Muscle Adaptation to Effort

Intense physical exercise can lead to micro-damage to tissues and activation of inflammatory processes, the body's natural response to exercise-related metabolic stress. Monitoring inflammation and fatigue will enable the observation of athletes in terms of post-exercise regeneration and muscle adaptation to physical effort. The obtained results will allow for estimating the level of fatigue, minimizing the risk of injury, and will show the rate of post-exercise regeneration or its absence.

The study will involve 40 members of the Polish Youth Rowing Team, both sexes, aged 19-23. The study will be held on three dates related to the specifics of the athletes' training cycle, i.e. in the preparatory period (March), the competition period (June), and the detraining period (November). The participants will perform an intensive exercise test on a rowing ergometer (manufacturer: Concept II, USA), covering a distance of 2,000 meters in the shortest possible time. The study will involve 40 members of the Polish Youth Rowing Team, both sexes, aged 19-23. Each time, before starting the exercise test, a non-invasive anthropometric analysis will be performed using the TANITA MC-780MA body composition analyzer (tanita Japan), to determine the body composition: percentage of body fat, body fat mass, lean tissue mass, muscle mass, body water and body mass index (BMI). On the three indicated dates, before and after the stress test, capillary blood (ear lobe) from the cubital vein will be collected from the participants. Using immunoenzymatic ELISA tests, the following will be determined: EPO (erythropoietin), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), CRP (C-reactive protein), glycogen, hypoxanthine (Hx). Glucose level will be determined using an Accu-Chek Active glucometer (Roche, Germany).

Inclusion Criteria:

• members of the Polish Youth Rowing Team - competitors officially called up to the Polish national rowing team,
• no musculoskeletal injuries that would prevent them from performing the exercise test,
• written consent of the competitor to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• anti-inflammatory drugs, other supplements in the last 3 months before starting the study,
• failure to complete the test,
• current injury, post-traumatic condition, illness,
• lack of informed consent of the athlete.