It is widely known that rowers and cyclists can continue with their professional career even at relatively high age. This review focuses on a study of a professional rower who won an Olympic gold at the age of 32.
The study (Lacour et al., 2009) investigated the athlete during a ten-year period, of which six years was professional and four years was post-career. The athlete obtained seven medals in World Championships and Olympic Games.
It was found that maximal oxygen uptake remained above 6 l·min-1 during the six-year investigation period, which is an outstanding value. Another important factor that helped to prolong the athlete’s career was a high peak power value of 502-527 W. Once reached, the athlete could sustain the level for 90-100 s. Four years after the international career, the value of VO2max had dropped only by 3.6% and peak power output by 8.4%, while training load had declined by 35%.
Although no significant relationships were found between VO2max and efficiency on rowing ergometer, the authors suggest that on-water, higher rowing economy or possible conservation of aerobic power might be the reasons of such high maximal oxygen uptake levels even at high age.
What to learn from this?
High maximal oxygen uptake and peak power help to prolong an athlete’s career. Although both of them tend to decline in time, better economy and conservation of aerobic power that comes with experience might offset the issue.
Source
Lacour JR, Messonnier L, Bourdin M. Physiological correlates of performance. Case study of a world-class rower. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2009; 106: 407-413.
