Altitude and erg scores
Michael Smith
standards are higher at altitude (Denver) than elsewhere?
For example, 30-39 LW men: 6:38 in Denver, 6:24 elsewhere.
Is there a formula of some sort to convert scores at
diferent altitudes. I train at 7500 feet and am curious as
to how my scores would compare at sea level or 2300 feet
lower in Denver for that matter.
While we're on the subject, can somebody supply me with
info on the erg sprints in Denver this year?
Thanks, Mike
Trevor Chambers
> Can somebody give me an explanation as to why the erg time
> standards are higher at altitude (Denver) than elsewhere?
You mean the standard is lower - the time is higher :-))
> For example, 30-39 LW men: 6:38 in Denver, 6:24 elsewhere.
> Is there a formula of some sort to convert scores at
> diferent altitudes. I train at 7500 feet and am curious as
> to how my scores would compare at sea level or 2300 feet
> lower in Denver for that matter.
>
All top athletes train at altitude. That's because, very simplistically,
the reduced oxygen level in the air means that your cardiovascular system
has to be more efficient with the O2 it can get. After 3 weeks, you start
to acclimatise and perform. Then, when you come back down to sea level or
whatever, the training effect is still there - your cardiovascular system
is tuned to O2 efficiency, and your performances are boosted. The effect
wears off after a time, but from what you say, I reckon you'd have a flyer.
I don't know of any way or correlating height to scores though - perhaps
someone more academically qualified in the area knows?
Trev
Sudbury RC
Liz Bradley
smith> standards are higher at altitude (Denver) than elsewhere?
chambers> You mean the standard is lower - the time is higher :-))
No, he's right: the CRASH-B qualifying time is ~15-20sec *slower* in
Denver, and rightly so. The body does indeed acclimate to the
altitude, but it never quite catches up (or maybe I just need to wait
a few more years...)
Anyway, at a given heartrate and with the same conditioning, you end
up rowing 3-4sec slower per 500m up here than at sea level. Oxygen
content is something like logarithmic with altitude, so I think it
gets worse faster the higher you get, but physiology itself is so
nonlinear that I doubt that argument would (ahem) hold water.
Racing at sea level after training up here is interesting. You get
the 3-4sec/500 back *and a bit more*, but your legs kill you. The
theory behind this is that the oxygen up here limits your effort and
hence your lactic acid production, so the systems that flush those
byproducts accomodate to that level and don't know how to handle any
more. At sea level, you can work harder and generate lots more
(unflushable) lactic acid. Ow.
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was erging in my garage and it was cold - I meanreally cold. I thought I was really
out of shape but I clued in that I was at altitude but there was also another
factor. I noticed that my shock cord isn't as springy as it was at school. The cold
weather causes it to get a bit stiff so when I would go up to the catch the chain
would drop even when I kept my hands up then I would drive with my legs and my arms
would practically fall out of the socket when the slack came out of the chain. This
didn't really make for good splits. The solution was to just tighten the cord up. Is
this relevant? Probably not :-)
Adam N. Gray Yale '96
BradInDvr
>info on the erg sprints in Denver this year?
Sat Feb 3 1996, Greenwood A/C. Mailing by snail mail not out yet, but we
will once again have no advance sign up, as the pattern seemed to hold
steady enough to go with only race day enrollment.
If you want a copy of the mailing, send e/m with snail mail address. I
will post the most important info when I get my copy of it.
Brad Gaylord
PMckeon531
(snip)
<Racing at sea level after training up here is interesting. You get
<the 3-4sec/500 back *and a bit more*,
(snip)
Although there is quite a bit of controversy in the exercise physiology
world about the worth of altitude training ("Training at altitude helps
you compete at altitude, but that's it"), I personally have experienced
the benefits of altitude training. I used to live at 8400 ft (didn't row
there, but did lots of erging, running, and cycling) and would often
travel to the east coast on business trips. The difference was night and
day. This past weekend I did a 2000m in 6:33.9 (thanks George Mason
crew), which I don't think I could possibly get close to back here in Ft.
Collins, even though we're only at 5000 ft. The altitude difference
raises your aerobic capacity, but as Liz stated, may have a detrimental
affect on your anaerobic capacity. I have heard some physiologists
suggest that the ideal situation would involve training at sea level, but
sleeping at altitude.
Just my .02$
-Pat McKeon
Eben Garnett
(Trevor Chambers) writes:
>
>In article <4a72rl$8...@tali.UCHSC.edu>, Michael Smith
<Michae...@UCHSC.edu> writes:
>
>
>> Is there a formula of some sort to convert scores at
>> diferent altitudes. I train at 7500 feet and am curious as
>> to how my scores would compare at sea level or 2300 feet
>> lower in Denver for that matter.
>>
>
"attitude" and erg scores. I don't know about altitude, but it seems
that those rowers with the most pyschotic attitudes score best.
>Eben Garnett
robert m. hawkins
>
>Can somebody give me an explanation as to why the erg time
>standards are higher at altitude (Denver) than elsewhere?
>Is there a formula of some sort to convert scores at
>diferent altitudes. I train at 7500 feet and am curious as
>to how my scores would compare at sea level or 2300 feet
>lower in Denver for that matter.
>
>info on the erg sprints in Denver this year?
>
>
Mike, Robert netting from Calgary, Canada. If you find any information
in regards to your search could you send it along to myself. I'm interested
in anything that results towards. Time...etc.
Thanks Robert Hawkins
adrianf...@gmail.com
> Can somebody give me an explanation as to why the erg time
> standards are higher at altitude (Denver) than elsewhere?
> For example, 30-39 LW men: 6:38 in Denver, 6:24 elsewhere.
> Is there a formula of some sort to convert scores at
> diferent altitudes. I train at 7500 feet and am curious as
> to how my scores would compare at sea level or 2300 feet
> lower in Denver for that matter.
>
> While we're on the subject, can somebody supply me with
> info on the erg sprints in Denver this year?
>
> Thanks, Mike
Liz's comments are very accurate, however, definitive studies have not been completed yet (or if they have , have not been made available to the general public - I'm talking about national squads protecting their info).
The major problem is the number of variables (and yes Whistler, for want of a better name, is correct, temperature is one of them). The most important variable is the athlete. There is a huge difference between a college schoolgirl, a national heavyweight man and a 53 year old novice.
As a rough guide the following might be of assistance
Top level athlete 1 sec per 1000'
Average athlete 2-3 sec per 1000'
Lower level athlete 4' sec per 1000'
Variables to consider:
Type of Athlete
Condition of Athlete (fitness level)
Sex of Athlete
Anthropomorphic measurements of Athlete (Coxes don't generally erg well)
Age of Athlete
Nutrition of Athlete (2 big Macs and a 'shake before you erg....hmmm...not so much fun)
Ergometer manufacturer and model
Temperature
Pressure
One final thing to mention is rate. Row 2k above 30 s/min and your cardio vascular system is challenged (evidenced by your lungs burning). Do the same piece at 20 s/min and your legs will hurt like hell, indicating a major build-up of Lactic acid. These differences are exacerbated by changes in altitude.
I look forward to seeing a definitive study
Adrian
Paralympic Coach 2008