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NCT Number: NCT07602244

Individualized Training to Improve Aerobic Capacity and 2,000 m Rowing Performance in Youth Rowers

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn whether an individualized rowing training program based on ventilatory thresholds can improve aerobic capacity and 2,000 m rowing performance in youth rowers from Valdivia, Chile. The study will include male and female rowers aged 14 to 18 years who train regularly at Club de Remeros Arturo Prat.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does ventilatory threshold-based individualized training improve maximal oxygen uptake compared with the usual club training program? Does ventilatory threshold-based individualized training improve 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance compared with the usual club training program?

Researchers will compare an individualized training group with a usual training group to see if prescribing exercise intensity based on each rower's ventilatory thresholds produces greater improvements in aerobic capacity, rowing performance, and related physiological measures.

Participants will:

Complete baseline and post-intervention assessments, including a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a rowing ergometer, blood lactate measurements during an incremental rowing test, a 2,000 m rowing ergometer test, body composition assessment, and respiratory muscle strength testing.

Be randomly assigned to either an individualized training group or a usual training group.

Complete a 12-week rowing training program. Use heart rate monitors during study training sessions so that training intensity, adherence, and safety can be monitored.

Report any discomfort, injuries, or adverse events during the study.

The individualized training group will train according to heart rate zones derived from each participant's ventilatory thresholds measured at baseline. The usual training group will continue the club's regular training program. The study will also explore individual variability in training response and the proportion of participants who respond or do not respond to each training approach.

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Key information

Conditions

Athletic Performance Aerobic Capacity Rowing Performance

Age range

14 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia Campus

Valdivia, Los Ríos Region, Chile

Location contact

Johnattan Cano Montoya, MSc.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+56962382339

Johnattan Cano Montoya, MSc.

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

This study will be conducted in youth rowers from Club de Remeros Arturo Prat in Valdivia, Chile. Rowing performance over 2,000 m depends on aerobic capacity, submaximal physiological markers, and the ability to sustain high power output during a race-specific effort. In many youth rowing settings, training intensity is commonly prescribed using coach experience, stroke rate, perceived exertion, heart rate responses, and field-based performance tests. However, individualized physiological markers, such as the first and second ventilatory thresholds, may provide a more precise approach to exercise intensity prescription.

This randomized controlled trial will compare a 12-week individualized rowing training program based on ventilatory thresholds with the usual training program used by the club. Participants will be male and female rowers aged 14 to 18 years who train regularly under technical supervision. After baseline assessments, participants will be randomly assigned to either an individualized training group or a usual training group.

Both groups will maintain a comparable overall rowing training volume. The main difference between groups will be how training intensity is prescribed and monitored. In the individualized training group, heart rate training zones will be derived from each participant's baseline ventilatory thresholds obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a rowing ergometer. In the usual training group, participants will continue the regular club training program, guided by the coaching staff according to usual practice.

Participants will be assessed before and after the intervention. The primary outcomes will be maximal oxygen uptake and 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance. Secondary outcomes will include power output associated with ventilatory thresholds, blood lactate response during incremental exercise, body composition, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, training adherence, training load, and adverse events. The study will also explore the magnitude of training effects, interindividual variability in response, and the proportion of responders and non-responders in each group.

The purpose of this trial is to determine whether ventilatory threshold-based individualized training produces greater physiological and performance adaptations than usual training in youth rowers under real-world club training conditions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Active membership in Club de Remeros Arturo Prat of Valdivia.
  • Age between 14 and 18 years.
  • Systematic rowing training of at least 3 sessions per week under technical supervision.
  • Participation in federated competitions or internal selection processes.
  • Medical clearance for intense physical exercise issued by a treating physician or competent institution, such as a pre-participation medical evaluation.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of uncontrolled cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disease that contraindicates intense exercise, such as structural heart disease, clinically significant arrhythmias, or uncontrolled asthma.
  • Acute or chronic musculoskeletal injury that prevents completion of the training program or study assessments.
  • Use of medications that may substantially modify the physiological response to exercise, such as beta-blockers, or declared history of doping.
  • Acute illness at the time of assessment, including fever, infection, or respiratory symptoms.
  • Cognitive, language, or behavioral difficulties that prevent understanding instructions or complying with the study protocol.
  • Simultaneous participation in another exercise intervention study.

Treatment and study plan

Individualized Rowing Training

Behavioral

A 12-week rowing training program in which exercise intensity is individualized using heart rate zones derived from the first and second ventilatory thresholds measured at baseline during cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a rowing ergometer. Three training zones will be defined for each participant: below the first ventilatory threshold, between the first and second ventilatory thresholds, and above the second ventilatory threshold. Coaches will adjust stroke rate, power output, effort duration, or recovery periods to maintain the target intensity zone during study training sessions.

Usual Rowing Training

Behavioral

A 12-week usual rowing training program prescribed and supervised by the club coaching staff according to standard practice. Training intensity will be guided by usual coaching criteria, including stroke rate, perceived exertion, heart rate responses, training volume, and field-based performance references. Heart rate monitors will be used during study training sessions to document training load, intensity, and adherence.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Maximal Oxygen Uptake

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in maximal oxygen uptake measured during a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a rowing ergometer. VO2max will be defined as the highest oxygen uptake value obtained during the incremental test according to predefined maximality criteria. Unit of Measure: mL/kg/min

  2. Change in 2,000 m Rowing Ergometer Performance Time

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in the total time required to complete a standardized 2,000 m rowing ergometer test performed at maximal self-selected intensity. Unit of Measure: seconds

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Peak Power Output

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in peak power output achieved during the maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on a rowing ergometer. Unit: watts.

  2. Change in Power Output at the First Ventilatory Threshold

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in rowing ergometer power output associated with the first ventilatory threshold identified during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Unit of Measure: watts

  3. Change in Power Output at the Second Ventilatory Threshold

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in rowing ergometer power output associated with the second ventilatory threshold identified during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Unit of Measure: watts

  4. Change in Oxygen Uptake at the First Ventilatory Threshold

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in oxygen uptake associated with the first ventilatory threshold measured during the incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on a rowing ergometer. Unit: mL/kg/min

  5. Change in Oxygen Uptake at the Second Ventilatory Threshold

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in oxygen uptake associated with the second ventilatory threshold measured during the incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on a rowing ergometer. Unit: mL/kg/min

  6. Change in Power Output at 4 mmol/L Blood Lactate Concentration

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in rowing ergometer power output associated with a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/L during the incremental rowing exercise test. Capillary blood lactate will be measured at the end of each stage, and the corresponding power output will be used to characterize the submaximal metabolic response to increasing exercise intensity. Unit of Measure: watts

  7. Change in Body Fat Percentage

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in body fat percentage assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis under standardized measurement conditions. Unit of Measure: percentage of body mass.

  8. Change in Body Fat mass

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in body fat assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis under standardized measurement conditions. Unit of Measure: kg

  9. Change in Skeletal Muscle Mass

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in skeletal muscle mass assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis under standardized measurement conditions. Unit of Measure: kg

  10. Change in Fat-Free Mass

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in fat-free mass assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis under standardized measurement conditions. Unit of Measure: kg

  11. Change in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in maximal inspiratory pressure measured using a digital manovacuometer. The highest acceptable and reproducible value will be recorded. Unit of Measure: cmH2O

  12. Change in Maximal Expiratory Pressure

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in maximal expiratory pressure measured using a digital manovacuometer. The highest acceptable and reproducible value will be recorded. Unit of Measure: cmH2O

  13. Training Adherence

    Time frame: Throughout the 12-week intervention

    Percentage of planned training sessions completed during the 12-week intervention period. Unit of Measure: percentage of planned sessions.

  14. Adverse Events

    Time frame: Throughout the 12-week intervention

    Number of adverse events and injuries recorded during the 12-week intervention period and during study assessments. Unit of Measure: number of events.

  15. Interindividual Variability in Maximal Oxygen Uptake Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in maximal oxygen uptake response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: mL/kg/min

  16. Interindividual Variability in 2,000 m Rowing Ergometer Performance Time Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance time response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: seconds

  17. Interindividual Variability in Peak Power Output Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in peak power output response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: watts.

  18. Interindividual Variability in Power Output at the First Ventilatory Threshold Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in power output at the first ventilatory threshold response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: watts

  19. Interindividual Variability in Power Output at the Second Ventilatory Threshold Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in power output at the second ventilatory threshold response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: watts

  20. Interindividual Variability in Power Output at 4 mmol/L Blood Lactate Concentration Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in power output at 4 mmol/L blood lactate concentration response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: watts.

  21. Interindividual Variability in Body Fat Percentage Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in body fat percentage response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: percentage of body mass

  22. Interindividual Variability in Skeletal Muscle Mass Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in skeletal muscle mass response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: kg

  23. Interindividual Variability in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in maximal inspiratory pressure response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: cmH2O

  24. Interindividual Variability in Maximal Expiratory Pressure Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in maximal expiratory pressure response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: cmH2O

  25. Interindividual Variability in Oxygen Uptake at the First Ventilatory Threshold Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in oxygen uptake at the first ventilatory threshold response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: mL/kg/min

  26. Interindividual Variability in Oxygen Uptake at the Second Ventilatory Threshold Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in oxygen uptake at the second ventilatory threshold response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: mL/kg/min

  27. Change in Total Fat Mass

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in total fat mass assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis under standardized measurement conditions. Unit of Measure: kg

  28. Interindividual Variability in Total Fat Mass Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in total fat mass response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: kg

  29. Interindividual Variability in Fat-Free Mass Response

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Interindividual variability in fat-free mass response will be estimated using the standard deviation of individual responses. This will be calculated as the square root of the difference between the squared standard deviation of change scores in the individualized training group and the squared standard deviation of change scores in the usual training group. Unit of Measure: kg

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Johnattan Cano Montoya, MSc.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+56962382339

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad San Sebastián

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Ventilatory Threshold-Based Individualized Training on Aerobic Capacity and 2,000 m Rowing Performance in Youth Rowers From Valdivia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 22, 2026
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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