{The aim of this study was to determine the relative exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation during walking in inactive and overweight men and women and evaluate any possible sex differences. Forty six healthy, sedentary, overweight men (age: 36.3±1.3 years, body fat: 28.8 ± 0.8%

Seven 6 s sprints with 30 s recovery between sprints were performed against two resistive loads: 50 (L50) and 100 (L100) g · kg-1 body mass. Inertia-corrected and -uncorrected peak and mean power output were calculated. Corrected peak power output in corresponding sprints and the drop in peak power output relative to sprint 1 were not different in the two conditions, despite the fact that mean power output was 15-20% higher in L100 (P < 0.01). The effect of inertia correction on power output was more pronounced for the lighter load (L50), with uncorrected peak power output in sprint 1 being 42% lower than the corresponding corrected peak power output, while this was only 16% in L100. Fatigue assessed by the drop in uncorrected peak and mean power output in sprint 7 relative to sprint 1 was less compared with that obtained by corrected power values, especially in L50 (drop in uncorrected vs. corrected peak power output: 13.3 ± 2.2% vs. 23.1 ± 4.1%, P < 0.01). However, in L100, the difference between the drop in corrected and uncorrected mean power output in sprint 7 was much smaller (24.2 ± 3.1% and 21.2 ± 2.7%, P < 0.01), indicating that fatigue may be safely assessed even without inertia correction when a heavy load is used. In conclusion, when inertia correction is performed, fatigue during repeated sprints is unaffected by resistive load. When inertia correction is omitted, both power output and the fatigue profile are underestimated by an amount dependent on resistive load. In cases where inertia correction is not possible during a repeated sprints test, a heavy load may be preferable.

This study examined selected anthropometric characteristics of young rowers and compared them with those of senior national level athletes and untrained children, in order to establish a rowing specific anthropometric profile for young athletes. Anthropometric characteristics were measured in 509 club-level rowers aged 11-16 years and 29 male senior national level rowers. Club-level athletes were categorized in 6 age groups (11-16 y), while the senior national level rowers were divided into heavyweight (H-W) and lightweight (L-W). Rowers aged 15 and 16 y had similar height, body weight, arm length and leg length, but lower lean body mass (5 to 8.3 Kg less) compared with senior L-W rowers. Comparison of the young rowers with a reference group of untrained Greek children by means of percentiles (P) revealed that rowers in all age groups were heavier (P63 to P75), taller (P82 to P90) but had a lower body mass index than the mean values (P50) of the reference group after the age of 14 (P48 to P43). Skinfold thicknesses and body fat decreased from the 11 y through to the 16 y group (from 22.9% to 17.8%), and were lower in the two senior groups (9.6% for the L-W and 12.3% for the H-W). Endomorphy ratings decreased with age from 11 to 14 y, but there was no difference between the 14 to 16 y old groups. Mesomorphy was similar across all groups examined and ectomorphy did not show large fluctuations from the 13 y old group onwards. Somatotype of the 15 y old group was 2.4-4.4-3.4 (endo-mesoectomorphy) and was identical to that of the 16 y group and the lightweight senior rowers. The results of this study showed that the club level rowers aged 15 and 16 yrs have similar body structure but different body composition compared with the senior L-W rowers. Anthropometric characteristics can be used as a criterion for selection of rowers by the coaches from an early age.

This study examined selected anthropometric characteristics of young rowers and compared them with those of senior national level athletes and untrained children, in order to establish a rowing specific anthropometric profile for young athletes. Anthropometric characteristics were measured in 509 club-level rowers aged 11-16 years and 29 male senior national level rowers. Club-level athletes were categorized in 6 age groups (11-16 y), while the senior national level rowers were divided into heavyweight (H-W) and lightweight (L-W). Rowers aged 15 and 16 y had similar height, body weight, arm length and leg length, but lower lean body mass (5 to 8.3 Kg less) compared with senior L-W rowers. Comparison of the young rowers with a reference group of untrained Greek children by means of percentiles (P) revealed that rowers in all age groups were heavier (P63 to P75), taller (P82 to P90) but had a lower body mass index than the mean values (P50) of the reference group after the age of 14 (P48 to P43). Skinfold thicknesses and body fat decreased from the 11 y through to the 16 y group (from 22.9% to 17.8%), and were lower in the two senior groups (9.6% for the L-W and 12.3% for the H-W). Endomorphy ratings decreased with age from 11 to 14 y, but there was no difference between the 14 to 16 y old groups. Mesomorphy was similar across all groups examined and ectomorphy did not show large fluctuations from the 13 y old group onwards. Somatotype of the 15 y old group was 2.4-4.4-3.4 (endo-mesoectomorphy) and was identical to that of the 16 y group and the lightweight senior rowers. The results of this study showed that the club level rowers aged 15 and 16 yrs have similar body structure but different body composition compared with the senior L-W rowers. Anthropometric characteristics can be used as a criterion for selection of rowers by the coaches from an early age.

Seven 6 s sprints with 30 s recovery between sprints were performed against two resistive loads: 50 (L50) and 100 (L100) g · kg-1 body mass. Inertia-corrected and -uncorrected peak and mean power output were calculated. Corrected peak power output in corresponding sprints and the drop in peak power output relative to sprint 1 were not different in the two conditions, despite the fact that mean power output was 15-20% higher in L100 (P < 0.01). The effect of inertia correction on power output was more pronounced for the lighter load (L50), with uncorrected peak power output in sprint 1 being 42% lower than the corresponding corrected peak power output, while this was only 16% in L100. Fatigue assessed by the drop in uncorrected peak and mean power output in sprint 7 relative to sprint 1 was less compared with that obtained by corrected power values, especially in L50 (drop in uncorrected vs. corrected peak power output: 13.3 ± 2.2% vs. 23.1 ± 4.1%, P < 0.01). However, in L100, the difference between the drop in corrected and uncorrected mean power output in sprint 7 was much smaller (24.2 ± 3.1% and 21.2 ± 2.7%, P < 0.01), indicating that fatigue may be safely assessed even without inertia correction when a heavy load is used. In conclusion, when inertia correction is performed, fatigue during repeated sprints is unaffected by resistive load. When inertia correction is omitted, both power output and the fatigue profile are underestimated by an amount dependent on resistive load. In cases where inertia correction is not possible during a repeated sprints test, a heavy load may be preferable.

{The aim of this study was to determine the relative exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation during walking in inactive and overweight men and women and evaluate any possible sex differences. Forty six healthy, sedentary, overweight men (age: 36.3±1.3 years, body fat: 28.8 ± 0.8%

Seven 6 s sprints with 30 s recovery between sprints were performed against two resistive loads: 50 (L50) and 100 (L100) g · kg-1 body mass. Inertia-corrected and -uncorrected peak and mean power output were calculated. Corrected peak power output in corresponding sprints and the drop in peak power output relative to sprint 1 were not different in the two conditions, despite the fact that mean power output was 15-20% higher in L100 (P < 0.01). The effect of inertia correction on power output was more pronounced for the lighter load (L50), with uncorrected peak power output in sprint 1 being 42% lower than the corresponding corrected peak power output, while this was only 16% in L100. Fatigue assessed by the drop in uncorrected peak and mean power output in sprint 7 relative to sprint 1 was less compared with that obtained by corrected power values, especially in L50 (drop in uncorrected vs. corrected peak power output: 13.3 ± 2.2% vs. 23.1 ± 4.1%, P < 0.01). However, in L100, the difference between the drop in corrected and uncorrected mean power output in sprint 7 was much smaller (24.2 ± 3.1% and 21.2 ± 2.7%, P < 0.01), indicating that fatigue may be safely assessed even without inertia correction when a heavy load is used. In conclusion, when inertia correction is performed, fatigue during repeated sprints is unaffected by resistive load. When inertia correction is omitted, both power output and the fatigue profile are underestimated by an amount dependent on resistive load. In cases where inertia correction is not possible during a repeated sprints test, a heavy load may be preferable.

This study examined selected anthropometric characteristics of young rowers and compared them with those of senior national level athletes and untrained children, in order to establish a rowing specific anthropometric profile for young athletes. Anthropometric characteristics were measured in 509 club-level rowers aged 11-16 years and 29 male senior national level rowers. Club-level athletes were categorized in 6 age groups (11-16 y), while the senior national level rowers were divided into heavyweight (H-W) and lightweight (L-W). Rowers aged 15 and 16 y had similar height, body weight, arm length and leg length, but lower lean body mass (5 to 8.3 Kg less) compared with senior L-W rowers. Comparison of the young rowers with a reference group of untrained Greek children by means of percentiles (P) revealed that rowers in all age groups were heavier (P63 to P75), taller (P82 to P90) but had a lower body mass index than the mean values (P50) of the reference group after the age of 14 (P48 to P43). Skinfold thicknesses and body fat decreased from the 11 y through to the 16 y group (from 22.9% to 17.8%), and were lower in the two senior groups (9.6% for the L-W and 12.3% for the H-W). Endomorphy ratings decreased with age from 11 to 14 y, but there was no difference between the 14 to 16 y old groups. Mesomorphy was similar across all groups examined and ectomorphy did not show large fluctuations from the 13 y old group onwards. Somatotype of the 15 y old group was 2.4-4.4-3.4 (endo-mesoectomorphy) and was identical to that of the 16 y group and the lightweight senior rowers. The results of this study showed that the club level rowers aged 15 and 16 yrs have similar body structure but different body composition compared with the senior L-W rowers. Anthropometric characteristics can be used as a criterion for selection of rowers by the coaches from an early age.

The aim of this study was to determine the relative exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation during walking in inactive and overweight men and women and evaluate any possible sex differences. Forty six healthy, sedentary, overweight men (age: 36.3±1.3 years, body fat: 28.8 ± 0.8%, n = 28, mean ± SE) and women (age: 36.6±1.8 years, body fat: 37.1 ± 0.8%, n = 18) participated in the study. Fat oxidation was calculated from expired air analysis using indirect calorimetry during an incremental treadmill walking test. Peak fat oxidation rate (PFO) was higher in men compared to women (0.31 ± 0.02 vs. 0.20 ± 0.02 g.min-1; p < 0.001), but this difference disappeared when PFO was scaled per kg fat-free mass (4.36 ± 0.23 vs. 3.99 ± 0.37 mg.kg fat free mass -1.min-1). Also, the relative exercise intensity at which PFO occurred was similar for men and women and corresponded to 40.1 ± 1.8 and 39.5 ± 2.3% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and 60.0 ± 1.4 and 57.8 ± 1.4% of maximal heart rate, respectively. The walking speed corresponding to PFO was 5.5 ± 0.2 and 5.0 ± 0.1 km·h-1 for men and women, respectively. Regression analysis showed that sex, FFM and VO2max were significant predictors of PFO expressed in g.min-1 (adjusted R2 = 0.48, p = 0.01). However when PFO was scaled per kg FFM, only a small part of the variance was explained by VO2max (adjusted R2 = 0.12, p < 0.05). In conclusion, peak fat oxidation rate and the corresponding relative exercise intensity were similar in male and female overweight and sedentary individuals, but lower compared to those reported for leaner and/or physically active persons. Walking at a moderate speed (5.0-5.5 km·h-1) may be used as a convenient way to exercise at an intensity eliciting peak fat oxidation in overweight individuals. ©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008).