The diagnostics of anaerobic glycolytic metabolism which play a subordinate role in elite rowing and parameters such as maximum lactate accumulation rate (^ν_La.max) have thus far not been associated with ergometer rowing performance. The aim of the study was to quantify the glycolytic energy metabolism (W_Gly) during a 2000 m ergometer rowing time trial (RTT) and ^ν_La.max during a 10 s maximum ergometer rowing sprint test (RST) and to unravel associations between those variables and RTT performance. Combined post-exercise lactate measurements and oxygen uptake after RST and RTT were used to determine ^ν_La.max and glycolytic energy contribution (W_Gly) in seven male and three female German U 23 national rowers (N = 10, 19.8 ± 0.9 years, 183.2 ± 7.0 cm height, 79.9 ± 13.3 kg body mass, 16.4 ± 5.1 % body fat). W_Gly during RTT ranged from 7 to 15.5% and ^ν_La.max between 0.25 and 0.66 mmol∙L⁻¹∙s⁻¹. ^ν_La.max correlated with W_Gly (p < 0.05, r = 0.74) and the mechanical power output (W) for the first 300 m (300_first) during RTT (p < 0.05, r = 0.67). ^ν_La.max further correlated with ∆300_first−last (W) for the first and last 300 m (300_last) during RTT (p < 0.01, r = 0.87) and also within the subgroup of male rowers. ^ν_La.max displays a wide spectrum of individual differences in rowers. Due to this and its correlation to specific phases of RTT, it contributes to an individual energetic performance profile in rowing. Future studies must undermine the role of ^ν_La.max for exercise performance and whether it serves as a marker that can be specifically targeted for a training-induced increase or decrease.

Metabolic flexibility includes the ability to perform fat and carbohydrate oxidation, as well as oxidative capacity, which is associated with mitochondrial function, energetic contributions, and physical health and performance. During a session of graded incremental exercise testing (GIET), we investigated metabolic flexibility, the contributions of three energy systems, and performances of individuals with different metabolic characteristics. Fifteen general population (GP; n = 15, male n = 7, female n = 8) and 15 national-level half-marathon and triathlon athletes (A; n = 15, male n = 7, female n = 8) participated in this study. During GIET, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2mean and $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$CO_2mean), metabolic equivalents (METs) in $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2mean, and blood glucose and lactate concentrations (La⁻) were measured. Furthermore, jogging/running speeds (S) at specific La⁻, fat and carbohydrate oxidations (FATox and CHOox), and energetic contributions (oxidative; W_Oxi, glycolytic; W_Gly, and phosphagen; W_PCr) were calculated. The percentages of HR_max, relative $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2mean, $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$CO_2mean, and METs in $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2mean were all lower in A than they were in GP. FATox values were lower in GP than in A, while CHOox and La⁻ were higher in GP than in A. Negative correlations between La⁻ and FATox were also observed in both groups. Contributions of W_Oxi, W_Gly, and W_PCr were higher in GP than in A during GIET. Moreover, values of W_Gly, and W_PCr were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in male GP than in female GP. Furthermore, S at specific La⁻ were higher in A than in GP. It is suggested that an individualized low-intensity recovery exercise program be established, to achieve increased metabolic flexibility and oxidative capacity (aerobic base), such as public health improvements and a greater volume of higher exercise intensities; this is the type of exercise that elite athletes worldwide mostly perform during their training period and progression. This may prevent cardiac/metabolic diseases in GP.

Purpose: This study compared the physiological profiles and energy-system contributions of trained football players engaged in regular-passing and third-man-passing small-sided games (SSGs) that included 4 versus 4 and a goalkeeper. Methods: Ten male trained football players participated in this crossover study. All participants were randomly assigned to either regular-passing SSG or third-man-passing SSG (4 vs 4 with a goalkeeper, 35-m × 17-m pitch size, and 6-min match duration). During these SSGs, physiological parameters including peak and mean heart rate, oxygen uptake ( and ), metabolic equivalents in and , and blood lactate concentrations (peak La⁻ and delta La⁻ [Δ La⁻]), were measured. Energy contributions (oxidative [W_Oxi], glycolytic [W_Gly], and phosphagen [W_PCr] systems) and Global Positioning System (GPS) variables (total distance, total acceleration counts, mean speed, and maximum speed) were also analyzed. Results: No significant differences in physiological parameters and GPS variables were found between regular- and third-man-passing SSGs. W_Oxi in kilojoules and percentages was significantly higher during both SSGs than W_PCr and W_Gly (P < .0001, respectively). W_PCr and W_PCr + W_Gly values during third-man-passing SSGs were significantly higher than those during regular-passing SSGs (P < .05). Additionally, low to moderate positive correlations were observed between W_Oxi, W_Gly in kilojoules, , , peak La⁻, Δ La⁻, total acceleration counts, and mean speed (r = .39–.64). Conclusions: Third-man-passing SSGs may be useful for increasing anaerobic capacity. More third-man-passing SSG sessions in preparation for football games may support high metabolic power and repeated powerful anaerobic performances in trained football players.