and rowing training on rowing performance
Previous research has assessed the effect of concurrent endurance and strength training programmes on rowing performance (Lawton et al., 2011). A proportion of these studies have assessed the effectiveness of programmes combining strength and rowing training; where a single group of participants performed a set training intervention over eight to ten weeks (Kramer et al., 1993; Syrotuik et al., 2001; Kennedy & Bell, 2003; Webster et al., 2006; duManoir et al., 2007). These interventions have commonly led to significant improvements in strength, power and rowing performance. However, the lack of multiple treatment groups (for example; rowing training only vs. strength training and rowing) restricts interpretation of the training effect caused by the strength training. Therefore, for the purpose of this review only studies featuring multiple training groups will be discussed in more detail.
Initially Bell et al. (1989) compared the effects of high and low velocity resistance training on various parameters of rowing performance in well-trained male rowers. Following the four session a week, five week protocol both groups significantly increased isokinetic strength in comparison to a control group, although neither intervention led to improvements in rowing performance. However, the strength protocol employed which was a circuit of twelve hydraulic variable resistance machines, is not commonly used or recommended in the training of rowers (Ivey et al., 2004; McNeely et al., 2005). Therefore the applicability of the findings to the training practice of rowers was questionable. More recently authors have assessed the effectiveness of multi-joint free weight strength training programmes on rowing performance. Ebben et al. (2004b) assigned female university
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rowers to either high load (5-12 repetitions) or high repetition (15-32 repetitions) strength training groups. Participants performed eight weeks (three and two weekly sessions for the first six and last two weeks respectively) of resistance training featuring the multi-joint free weight strength exercises. Strength training led to improvements in performance time, total power and power per stroke during a 2000 m rowing ergometer test. Interestingly, varsity rowers who performed high load training demonstrated greater improvement compared with those who performed high repetition training, whereas novice rowers who performed high repetition training demonstrated greater improvement compared with those who performed high load training. Gallagher et al. (2010) demonstrated that an eight week programme of whole body, free weight, high load strength training (3-5 sets x 3-5 repetitions) resulted in practically relevant greater decreases in 2000 m time than either high repetition strength training (2-3 sets x 15-30 repetitions) or a control group performing solely rowing training. Izquierdo-Gabarren et al. (2010) prescribed an eight week concurrent endurance and strength training programme to club standard rowers. The strength protocol featured the bench pull, seated cable row, lateral pull-down and power clean, performed for 3-5 sets using a loading range between 75-92 %. After 8 weeks the participants experienced increases in strength, power and rowing performance. Interestingly gains were superior for a group performing the four exercises using 2-5 repetitions per set rather than a group who achieved 4-10 repetitions per set by performing to volitional failure. The authors theorised that the performance of the repetition to failure programme may have surpassed a threshold of training volume whereby sub-optimal adaptations in strength and endurance would result.
When considering the findings from the studies which have implemented strength training alongside rowing training over prolonged periods, it would seem that high-load, moderate volume resistance training using multi-joint free weight exercises for two to three sessions a week is most effective for well-trained competitive rowers. A recent review of the literature concerning concurrent strength and endurance training for rowing and canoeing was conducted by Garcia-Pallares & Izquierdo (2011). The authors recommended that strength training should be performed three times a week with each session comprising of four to six multi-joint exercises, with an emphasis on maximal strength and power development with loads of > 85 % of 1 RM and exercises performed across 3-5 sets comprising of 1-6 repetitions. However, similarly to Izquierdo-Gabarren et al. (2010), the authors cautioned that training to repetition failure should be avoided arguing that a moderate number of repetitions not to failure provides a favourable environment for achieving greater enhancements in muscle power, strength and sport
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specific performance. The authors commented that using the ‗not to failure‘ approach permits faster recovery from strength training allowing rowers to perform subsequent endurance sessions of higher quality. It has previously been shown that a prolonged resistance training program utilising the repetition failure approach has resulted in greater stress to the neuroendocrine system than a program utilising the not to repetition failure approach (Izquierdo et al., 2006). After a twice a week, 16 week strength program, participants performing sets to repetition failure experienced a decrease in concentrations of the anabolic hormone insulin-like growth factor 1 (Izquierdo et al., 2006). Concomitantly a group performing repetitions not to failure experienced increases in resting testosterone and decreases in resting cortisol whilst these hormones were unchanged for the repetition failure group. Circulating testosterone and cortisol have been proposed as physiological markers to evaluate the tissue-remodelling process during a strength training period (Kraemer & Ratamess, 2005), with an increase in the testosterone to cortisol ratio indicating an increase in the anabolic status of skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that adopting a not to failure approach has more favourable effects on hormonal and adaptive status, and seems to be superior for athletes performing concurrent strength and endurance training.