Comparison of the Effects of Long-Term Rowing Training in Professional Rowers

This study aims to compare the effects of long-term rowing training on aerobic capacity, physical fitness, heart rate variability, and psychological performance in novice rowers, professional rowers, and healthy controls. Approximately 60 adults aged 18-65 years will be enrolled and allocated into three groups: novice rowers, professional rowers, and a non-exercising control group. Participants in the rowing groups will complete an 8-week supervised rowing ergometer training program (twice weekly), while the control group will maintain their usual daily activities without structured exercise. Assessments will be performed before and after the intervention and will include aerobic capacity (shuttle walk test, 500-m and 2000-m rowing ergometer tests), muscle strength, muscle power, muscular endurance, core stability, flexibility, agility, posture, heart rate variability, flow state, and mental toughness. The study is designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the physiological and psychological adaptations associated with rowing training at different levels of experience and to identify factors that distinguish novice and elite rowers.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 18 to 65 years. Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Medically able to participate in an 8-week rowing training program. For the novice rowing group: no previous structured rowing training experience. For the professional rowing group: actively competing or regularly training as a rower. For the control group: healthy individuals not participating in structured rowing training during the study period. Exclusion Criteria: History of cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, psychiatric, or other systemic diseases that may interfere with study participation. Cognitive or psychological conditions that prevent completion of the study assessments. History of recent surgery or any medical condition limiting exercise participation. Pregnancy. Inability or unwillingness to complete the intervention or outcome assessments. Participation in another structured exercise intervention during the study period.