Monitoring Training Load, Muscle Damage, and Body Composition Changes of Elite Indian Rowers During a Periodized Training Program

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to monitor the Indian national rowing team’s training regime and the changes that occur in the rowers’ body composition, muscle cell damage, and training load markers during the phases of preparation for an international competition.

Methods

Ten male and 9 female elite rowers from the national team underwent anthropometric assessment and blood tests during 17 weeks of training, at the end of general preparation (W4), preparation (W10), and pre-competition (W17) phase. Body fat% and somatotype were determined by Siri’s equation and Heath-Carter manual, respectively. Assessments of blood biomarkers included measures of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, uric acid, testosterone, and cortisol concentration.

Results

Changes in variables were estimated by repeated-measures ANOVA. Body fat% (P < 0.001; male: d = − 2.03; female: d = − 2.89) and endomorph (P < 0.05; male: d = − 2.05; female: d = − 0.68) decreased significantly at pre-competition, whereas weight, mesomorph, and ectomorph remained unchanged throughout training. Urea (male: d = − 1.47; female: d = − 1.46) and uric acid (male: d = − 0.74; female: d = − 1.71) showed a significant decrease at pre-competition phase in both groups. CPK concentration significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at preparation (d = − 1.05) and increased during pre-competition (d = − 1.28) in male rowers. LDH showed significant increase (P < 0.01) at preparation (male: d = 1.17; female: d = 2.02) and pre-competition (male: d = 1.28; female: d = 2.09) than base preparation. Whereas, no significant changes were observed in cortisol, testosterone, or T/C ratio in subsequent measurements. Significant correlation (P < 0.05) was found between LDH and T/C ratio with rowing timing in male rowers. The 2000 m rowing timing also showed a significant improvement at W17 compared to W4 (male: d = − 1.25; female: d = − 0.94).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results showed that rowers encounter more muscle damage and less protein catabolism during training season. Additionally, it is evidenced that rowing performance improved and biochemical markers—particularly enzymes—altered largely with altered training load rather than anabolic or catabolic hormone concentration in rowers.