Power output using two load schemes for jump squat in young rowers

In rowing, strength and power contribute to determining competitive performance in distances of 500 m and 2,000 m.

In this regard, the aim of the present study was to compare the strength and power output in the Jump Squat (JS) using two load parameterization schemes (40 % of body mass [BM] and 40 % of 1 repetition maximum [RM] of the squat) in young rowers.

Five repetitions were performed with maximum effort and 10-s pauses between each JS. Inferential analysis included multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and the significance level adopted was 5 %.

As results, differences were observed between conditions in peak (40 %1RM = 573.28 ± 170.47 N; 40 %BM = 449.48 ± 62.38 N; p < 0.001) and mean force (40 %1RM = 383.20 ± 107.91 N; 40 %BM = 295.09 ± 28.60 N; p < 0.001), absolute (40 %1RM = 878.77 ± 294.39 W; 40 %BM = 743.28 ± 194.15 W; p = 0.01) and relative (40 %1RM = 12.00 ± 3.43 W/kg; 40 %BM = 10.18 ± 2.14 W/kg; p < 0.001) peak power, as well as absolute (40 %1RM = 328.08 ± 123.21 W; 40 %BM = 278.43 ± 72.88 W; p = 0.02) and relative (40 %1RM = 4.48 ± 1.46 W/kg; 40 %BM = 3.82 ± 0.82 W/kg; p = 0.01) mean power, with higher values for the 40 %1RM condition. Loads of 40 % of BM were associated with greater amplitude and speed compared to 40 %1RM.

These findings suggest that, for young rowers, using loads relative to 1RM optimizes strength and power output in the JS. In practical terms, if the goal is greater development of the force portion of the Force-Velocity curve, the use of 40 %1RM should be considered.