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Strength, power, and muscular endurance exercise and elite rowing ergometer performance
Trent W Lawton1, John B Cronin, Michael R McGuigan
1Athlete Performance Support-Strength and Conditioning, High Performance Sport New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand. trentl@nzasni.org.nz
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|October 23, 2012
Summary
Weight room exercises like power cleans and bench pulls significantly predict elite rower performance in short time trials and peak power. Specific strength and endurance exercises are recommended for targeted training.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Limited understanding of the link between weight training and rowing performance.
- Need for sport-specific assessments and exercise prescription for rowers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify key weight room exercises predicting elite rowing performance.
- Establish strength, power, and muscular endurance determinants for rowing success.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen elite male rowers performed maximal repetition (RM) tests for leg press, seated arm pull, power clean, and bench pull.
- Rowing performance assessed via ergometer tests, time trials (500m, 2000m, 5000m), peak stroke power, and a 60-minute trial.
- Pearson correlations and stepwise multiple linear regression analyzed relationships (p ≤ 0.05).
Main Results:
- Weight room exercises strongly predicted 2000m, 500m times, and peak stroke power.
- Bench pull power and 1RM power clean were top predictors for peak stroke power and 500m time.
- Leg press and bench pull/seated arm pull predicted 2000m time.
Conclusions:
- Specific weight room exercises, including 1RM power clean and 6RM bench pull, are crucial for enhancing rowing performance.
- Targeted strength and power training can improve key rowing metrics like peak power and sprint times.
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