Comparative characteristics of Lithuanian elite double sculling rowers’ two yearly cycles of preparation

Lithuanian rowers keep continuing on their successful performance in international rowing competitions. In year 2014 they won the title of European champions; in the World Championship 2014 their achievement was the 4th place, and in the year 2015 they become silver medalists. Considering this successful participation, it appears to be important to investigate preparation of Lithuanian double sculling rowers, European champions, for the participation in Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, as well as to investigate the change of their physical and functional capacities change in different years within the four-year Olympic cycle. This research has been initiated in 2013 and keeps continuing. The aim of the work was investigate peculiarities of Lithuanian elite double sculling rowers’ preparation and the change of their physical and functional capacities in yearly training cycle, providing the comparison of the results achieved with the results of analogous indices in earlier cycle. Two members of Lithuanian national rowing team, double sculling rowers, participated in the research. The training load, carried out by the athletes in the third year of Olympic cycle, was analyzed and compared with the volume of the second year training load in Olympic cycle. The training load duration distribution of the final mezocycle in preparation for European Championship into the zones of intensity is presented. Effectiveness of anaerobic alactic energy production mechanisms was determined according to momentum and average working power performing 10 s duration work on rowing ergometer (Concept II). Aerobic capacity was determined applying gas analyzer "Oxycon Mobile". The training volume of the investigated Lithuanian elite double sculling rowers in the third year of Olympic cycle was less, comparing to the volume of the previous years. It had appropriate distribution into different zones of intensity and proper decrease when approaching the main competitions. The named factors were of influence for the high results achievement in international competitions. Lithuanian double sculling rowers became the European champions and won the 4th place in the World Championship with little difference from the prize winners. Maximal and average absolute and relative anaerobic alactic muscle power of our investigated athletes had a tendency to increase from the beginning till the end of the preparatory period. In the season of 2013–2014, these indices had a greater value comparing to the earlier season results. Aerobic capacity indices at CIL and ATL were of uneven change: results of VO2max were of less value, while no considerable changes were established in lung ventilation results. The working power of the performed work within these intensity limits during the final stage of preparation was greater. Aerobic capacity level of our investigated athletes corresponds to the level of the strongest rowers’ aerobic capacity indices, found in literature sources. Physical and functional capacities indices of the both athletes remain rather similar due to applied training load and particularity of the competitions during yearly training cycle. This is a desirable phenomenon in double scull rowing, as great and equivalent capacities of both rowers are the factor for success