Does extensive on-water rowing increase muscular strength and endurance?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Athletic Performance

Background:

• Endurance athletes often seek to optimize training for peak performance.
• Combining different training modalities can potentially enhance physiological adaptations.
• The specific benefits of integrating weight training with high-volume rowing require detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of 8 weeks of endurance rowing alone versus rowing combined with weight training on aerobic condition, strength, and muscular endurance in elite rowers.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two elite rowers were divided into two groups: rowing only or rowing plus four weekly weight-training sessions.
• Pre- and post-training assessments included aerobic condition (watts at 4 mmol/L lactate), isometric pull strength, and various repetition maximum (RM) and endurance tests.
• Data were normalized by body mass, log-transformed, and analyzed for standardized effect sizes (ES) between groups, adjusting for gender.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between groups in aerobic condition (ES = 0.15) or prone bench-pull strength (ES = 0.27).
• Rowing alone showed a moderate benefit for seated-arm-pull endurance (ES = 0.42).
• The weight-training group demonstrated significant improvements in isometric pull strength, and 5- and 30-repetition leg-press tests, indicating greater lower-body strength and muscular endurance gains.

Conclusions:

• While aerobic condition and upper-body strength gains were comparable between training protocols, weight training yielded superior lower-body strength and muscular endurance improvements.
• Integrating weight training into an elite rower's regimen can effectively enhance specific strength and endurance parameters.
• The findings suggest a nuanced approach to training prescription for rowers, balancing endurance volume with targeted strength development.