Development of procedures for assessing the effect of stroke rate on physiological variables during ergometer rowing

To determine the effect of stroke rate on lactate concentration, oxygen consumption and heart rate during ergometer rowing, pilot investigations were necessary to clarify methodological procedures. To examine the validity of using blood taken from the toe for the assessment of plasma lactate concentration, values were compared with those taken from the fingertip and earlobe. Subjects (n=9) exercised at work intensities corresponding to 76.4+/-6.1% and 91.4+/-4.7% of estimated heart rate maximum for 4 minutes. No significant differences (p