Does a bout of strength training affect 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance and rowing-specific maximal power 24 h later?

Summary of "Does a bout of strength training affect 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance and rowing-specific maximal power 24 h later?"

Rowers regularly undertake rowing training within 24 h of performing bouts of strength training; however, the effect of this practice has not been investigated. This study evaluated the impact of a bout of high-intensity strength training on 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance and rowing-specific maximal power. Eight highly trained male club rowers performed baseline measures of five separate, static squat jumps (SSJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ), maximal rowing ergometer power strokes (PS) and a single 2,000 m rowing ergometer test (2,000 m). Subsequently, participants performed a high-intensity strength training session consisting of various multi-joint barbell exercises. The 2,000 m test was repeated at 24 and 48 h post-ST, in addition SSJ, CMJ and PS tests were performed at these time points and also at 2 h post-ST. Muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed pre-ST and 2, 24 and 48 h post-ST. Following the ST, there were significant elevations in muscle soreness (2 and 24 h, P < 0.01), CK (2, 24 and 48 h, P < 0.01), and LDH (2 h, P < 0.05) in comparison to baseline values. There were significant decrements across all time points for SSJ, CMJ and PS, which ranged between 3 and 10% (P < 0.05). However, 2,000 m performance and related measurements of heart rate and blood lactate were not significantly affected by ST. In summary, a bout of high-intensity strength training resulted in symptoms of muscle damage and decrements in rowing-specific maximal power, but this did not affect 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance in highly trained rowers.

Affiliation

Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK, thomas.gee@northumbria.ac.uk.

Journal Details

This article was published in the following journal.

Name: European journal of applied physiology
ISSN: 1439-6327
Pages:

Links

• PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21390543
• DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1878-3