In rowing the results are determined by the indicators of physical and functional capacity. Rower’s functional abilities are determined by a lot of factors, such as aerobic and anaerobic abilities, as well as technical, tactical, and psychological preparation (Skernevičius, 1997).

Therefore, the biggest challenge in training process is to find optimal loads for each sportsman and team. Coaches and sportsmen understand that an increase in the amount of physical loads is limited, because human capacity and adaptation have their limits.

The objective of the research was to explore the training process of the rowers of Olympic reserve in a yearlong period.

Eight 18-21 year old rowers of Olympic reserve were tested. Preparation period of 2004-2005 season was analyzed. Tests for measuring physical development, physical and functional capacity were carried out three times.

When yearlong period was analyzed, a conclusion can be drawn that physical loads of tested rowers were lower than the loads recommended by majority of researches.

To conclude the testing results carried out at VPU Sport science institute and Vilnius sports medicine centre, rowers’ physical loads did not have much importance to physical development, but positively affected functional capacity of circulatory system.

The indices of aerobic efficiency at critical intensity limit and at anaerobic threshold in competitive period did not reach appropriate level and was worse compared with indices measured at training period.

Training process of young rowers must be rearranged by devoting more time for developing aerobic capacity. It is necessary that oxygen uptake at critical intensity limit and at anaerobic threshold would move to model level and would not decrease in competitive period.

Raktažodžiai: rengimas, training, irklavimas, rowers, metinis ciklas