Leaving Cert Physical Education Planning for Optimum Performance: Gary and Paul O’Donovan are Iris

Question

Gary and Paul O’Donovan are Irish brothers who won a silver medal in the men’s lightweight double sculls category at the Rio Olympic Games. Having qualified for the final in Rio, Gary and Paul were asked about their rowing strategy. Paul replied: “It isn’t too complicated really, a dog is as fast as you can go. Close the eyes and pull like a dog.” In a later interview they revealed: “Yeah, we probably over-simplified it after this. It’s a huge thing that is involved, but after 17 years you don’t even have to think about it at this stage, it just happens.”

As it turns out there is a lot that goes into preparation and training. However, elite rowers need to stay highly developed from a physical standpoint. The 2000 meter race begins with a hard sprint to accelerate the boat from its stationary position. Following this, there is a significant maintenance phase where the boat reaches its maximum speed, followed by a fight for a sustained finish. Races are often decided by sprint finishes. This is the final phase that determines the race and Gary and Paul won their Olympic Games silver medal in Rio 2016.

There is also a lot involved from a preparation and monitoring standpoint. As part of the National Rowing Squad Gary and Paul were closely monitored in the lead up to the Olympic Games by their Sport Ireland Institute Performance Scientist, Caroline MacManus.

(d) (i) Name two measures that Caroline MacManus took to monitor Gary and Paul O’Donovan so that their chances of overtraining could be reduced.

1.

2.

(ii) Outline how one of the measures named by you in question 13 (d) (i) can assist coaches and athletes to avoid the chance of overtraining.

(iii) Figure 5 gives a detailed description of a week-long training plan for a rower in the early stages of their season.
Using evidence from this plan to support your answer, identify three components of physical fitness that are important in rowing.

1.

2.

3.

(iv) Explain why the development of each component of physical fitness identified by you in question 13 (d) (iii) is important in rowing.

Gary and Paul O’Donovan are Irish brothers who won a silver medal in the men’s lightweight double sculls category at the Rio Olympic Games - Leaving Cert Physical Education - Question 13 - 2021

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Gary and Paul O’Donovan are Irish brothers who won a silver medal in the men’s lightweight double sculls category at the Rio Olympic Games - Leaving Cert Physical Education - Question 13 - 2021

Name two measures that Caroline MacManus took to monitor Gary and Paul O’Donovan so that their chances of overtraining could be reduced.

Outline how one of the measures named by you in question 13 (d) (i) can assist coaches and athletes to avoid the chance of overtraining.

Identify three components of physical fitness that are important in rowing.

Explain why the development of each component of physical fitness identified by you in question 13 (d) (iii) is important in rowing.

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