Influence of rowing cadence on the gross efficiency of professional traditional rowers

Abstract Gross efficiency (GE) is emerging as important predictor of endurance performance, and previous evidence suggests that modifying cadence may be a key factor in improving it. However, research in the field of elite fixed-bench rowing, also known as traditional rowing, is limited and unclear. The

Aim: of this study was to investigate the influence of different cadences on the GE of traditional elite rowers. In total, 20 elite rowers participated in 2 days of testing. On the first visit, an incremental rowing test was performed to determine the maximal oxygen consumption ( $$\dot{V}$$ O 2 peak) and peak power output (PPO). On the second visit, a submaximal rowing step test was completed comprising three 8‑min periods at 20, 25, and 30 strokes per minute, respectively, performed in a random sequence and separated by 10-min rest intervals. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed no mean differences on GE values across cadences ( P = 0.526). However, a considerable inter-individual difference in the response of the GE across cadences was observed. Linear regression analysis showed a negative relationship (β = −0.15, R 2 = 0.21, P = 0.04) between the coefficient of variance (CV, %) for GE across cadences and the rowers’ experience in rowing (years). These

Results: indicate that traditional elite rowers, especially those with less experience, may not respond uniformly to different work cadences. This underlines the relevance of individualizing the training and work cadences of traditional elite rowers, particularly for less experienced rowers. The evidence currently available is insufficient to determine the impact of cadence on the GE of elite traditional rowers.