Rowing is among the major sports in the Olympic Games. Rowing involves propelling a boat using oars attached on the sides of the boat. The competitions include individual competitions and competing as a crew of two, four, and eight members. Rowing has been held in the Olympic Games since the early 18th century. However, the sport was dominated by male participants until 1976 when women were allowed to compete for medals in Montreal Olympic Games. Success in any game is the driving force of any competition. The success of an athlete is pegged on some factors which have to be adhered to. This involves physical exercise, mental exercise, technical capabilities, believe in oneself and team spirit. However, the contribution of the coach on the performance of an athlete cannot be overlooked. Like any other sport, rowing has fundamentals aspects that need to be observed by potential successful rowers. This paper will highlight the major points that when followed can make an oars person successful in racing competitions. In particular, the paper will discuss training, technical skills, teamwork, mental preparation and belief in winning. The paper will do an in-depth analysis of how each of the aspects influences the success of any rower.
Training
Training is a vital constituent to a successful oars person. Training improves the rower's physical fitness and in turn, makes them have high chances of increasing energy output. Increased energy production enhances the speed of the boat in ideal conditions. An ergometer score is an important tool for gauging the improvement in training for an oars person (Kendall, Kristina, & David 83). Therefore, the quality of the training for an oars person can be improved by focusing on the ergometer score. More often, amateur rowers have the notion that just availing themselves to the training camp is enough. However, they have to note that they have to work hard for them to realize rowing success. The rowers have to engage in regular training so that they make themselves physically and mentally prepared for a race. Besides, quality training boosts self-confidence which in a vital recipe for success. Even though training is a strenuous activity, the rowers have to overcome the uncomfortable nature of the training activity and make it comfortable.
Furthermore, training increases the ability of the rower to cope with the pressure of the competition. When the rower trains well for the race, they boost their physical power and technical skills that will help them in the contest. The training makes the rowers belief in themselves hence makes them cope with the pressure of success against the competitors. The technical ability also improves with consistent training and allows the oars person to stay calm and control their nerves for proper and efficient rowing.
Moreover, training helps the oars person endure fatigue and pain that come with rowing. They will be able to maintain their concentration when they hurt as a result of continuous rowing. Besides, training enables the rowers to ignore the negative feelings and doubts due to the pain in the process of rowing. This enables the rowers to focus on their success which is important to them and avoid the other unimportant factors. This is a skill that directly impacts on their capability to effectively counter pressure in the competitions. The focus also enables the rowers to deal with obstructions, failure, and difficulties in the races and avoid psych-outs and choking.
A well-structured training program has a significant impact on the rower's chances to succeed in a race. Appropriate training guarantees the oars person aspiring to succeed at an elite level a conditioning and techniques that are necessary for the competitions. It is important to understand the dynamics of the complex and often effects of a specific kind of training on the physical body of the rower. Therefore, training has to be specifically designed to cut across all aspects regarding training such as mental and emotional training as well. This will make the potential rowers transit from a national outlook to an international figure.
Furthermore, coaches have the mandate to carefully scrutinize the best forms of training that suit their athletes. This can be done by analyzing the athlete's reaction and responses to a particular kind of training concerning the success in the race. The training should e customized to meet the requirements and the responses from the individuals. Well-designed training practices enhance improved training experiences and consequently the success of the oars person.
In the modern training methods, a typical rower covers about 92 miles per week adding to the regular physical training at the gymnasium. At the start of the training program, the training aims at increasing the capacity of the body to endure pain and displeasure in training. Usually, the training entails boat work, resistance work, cycling, and flexibility, rowing ergometer and running. Therefore, the rowing volume at the start of the training season is low as compared to the final session of the training (Rahim, Omar, & Ma'arof 102). This is to allow the body to readjust to the non-specific training such as running and cycling and reduce the risk of injuries as a result of overstressed connective tissues and muscles. On the other hand, training at low intensity. The rowing distance is proportionally increased as the training period continues. Moreover, even as the season continues, the training intensity still stays low, but some form of high-intensity activities such as head races are conducted. This process naturally boosts the physical fitness while at the same time increasing technical prowess among the athletes.
According to the classical training theory, the level of training is supposed to increase during the period before the official racing season. In this strategy, the amount of high-intensity activities has not interfered with excessive activities before the main rowing race. However, the amount of training should be inevitably reduced as the main race approaches so that the rowers can achieve full recovery.
The training enables the athletes to achieve an improved aerobic capacity which is vital for the success of an oars person. Higher aerobic capacity id the most significant physiological characteristic of a decorated rower. Research indicates that oars person with improved aerobic capacities can produce higher amounts of energy before getting fatigued. Ideally, rowers with higher aerobic capacities perform more efficiently in rowing than those with lower capabilities to utilize oxygen. Although genetics plays a role in determining the aerobic capacity for a human being, potential successful rowers have to engage in a well-planned training program for years for them to achieve an improvement in the aerobic capacity. Additionally, the research indicates that exercise intensity is responsible for increased aerobic capacity rather than training volume. Therefore, maximum aerobic capacity is achieved by utilizing high-intensity sessions of strenuous intervals.
Furthermore, the underlying impact of high volume activities in training is to boost the endurance capacity of the body muscles. High volume training involving long distances of rowing affects the structure and functioning of the body muscles in many ways. Specifically, the high-intensity exercise boosts the capacity of the muscles to store and utilize energy efficiently. The ability of the muscles and connecting tissues to adjust to the high training volumes is responsible for the improved endurance capacity of the body. However, high-intensity activities do not directly boost the aerobic capacity. The physiological changes as a result of high-intensity training enable the oars person to train longer, harder and frequently. Therefore, the improvements in aerobic capacity during the end of the training season depends on the level of endurance capacity of the muscles at the beginning of the training season.
Successful rowers have to possess a high level of technical prowess so that there is maximum energy transfer to the movement of the boat. High volume and quality training improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the strokes in rowing. On the other hand, improved rowing efficiency among oarsmen in rowing races is bound to occur as a response to the number of years in training simulations. Furthermore, stroke efficiency of an oars person depends on the coordination of muscles, brain activities, and posture, all of which are responses to the training programs (Edmonds & Rohan et al. 98).
However, it should be noted that even though training is paramount for rowing success and determination, rapid and abrupt change in training programs can result in injuries, sickness or low rowing performance. Therefore, coaches are advised to evaluate the benefits accruing to high-level training to the historical background of the athlete. Besides, coaches should desist from successively prescribe high volume activities despite its impact on the muscular fitness. This is because a high level of training can result in stagnation in the development of the muscles adaptation.
However, coaches are also advised to avoid micromanaging the crew members. Sometimes coaches are supposed to ignore their sentiments and focus on the opinions of the team. The team members are supposed to be given some degree of independence concerning the decision-making process. This is because they are the ones facing the race head on and not the coach. The coach is there to motivate and offer suggestions that are agreeable to all the team members. Allowing the crewmen to make their decision also improves the trust within the crew members and therefore can transform to the success of the team. On the other hand, micromanaging the team elicits feelings of inferiority from the crew and thus impacts significantly on the performance.
Furthermore, coaches and the coxswain are supposed to hold each member accountable for the efficiency of the movement of the boat. The leaders are expected to make each member feel that their effort is highly needed and thus they have to contribute to the performance of the rowing race. It is common that when al members pull their part, the boat moves efficiently without a lot of strength. Moreover, the leaders are supposed to invoke a reward system of the successful members. Rewarding the crew that delivers improves the motivation of the others and thereby impact on the success in the rowing race. On the other hand, the coach has the jurisdiction to exclude non-performers from the crew because one part that does not function properly can affect the whole crew. This imparts pressure on the non-performing members to do their best always regardless of the harshness of the method.
Technical skills
For a long span of time, there has existed the notion that rowing does not require expertise or technique for one to be successful. This notion is wrong since rowing requires robust finesses and skills for one to be an elite oarsman. The technical proficiency by the rower with their proper physical fitness significantly influences their performance. Therefore, it is absurd to work on the physical fitness, endurance and body capabilities without having the necessary techniques. The technical skills improve the speed of the boat. The technical skills in rowing enable the rower to finish the race in the desired manner. The technical skills are utilized when the rower is close to the physical limit. On the other hand, without skills in rowing, one might not be able to know which motion to apply for entry or exit.
The motions in the boat regarding the strokes are related to the velocity of the boat. When the blade of the oar is properly secured in the water, the oarsman between the oars handle, and the fo...
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