Acute Effects of Different Postactivation Potentiation Protocols on Traditional Rowing Performance

Abstract

Postactivation potentiation (PAP) describes an initial muscular activation with a submaximal or maximal load intensity that produces acute improvements in muscle power and performance in subsequent explosive activities. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different PAP protocols in rowing performance. A crossover design involving seven rowers was used, in which two different PAP protocols were applied: PAP of maximal conditioning contractions (PAP MCC) on a rowing ergometer to provide greater transferability and, thus, enhance the magnitude of PAP stimuli on subsequent rowing performance; and PAP of maximal strength contractions (PAP MSC) in half squat and bench pull exercises, similar to the main exercises in rowing strength training, to perform a 20 s “all-out” test simulating a competition start. Student’s t-test was used to compare means of the variables (p < 0.05). Effect size statistics were calculated using Cohen’s d. The PAP MCC protocol resulted in significant differences, with an extremely large effect size in average power output (p = 0.034, d = 0.98) in the first 3 (p = 0.019, d = 1.15) and first 5 (p = 0.036, d = 0.91) strokes. This group also reached a greater number of strokes (p = 0.049, d = 2.29) and strokes per minute (p = 0.046, d = 1.15). PAP with maximal conditioning contractions in rowing warm-up enhanced subsequent rowing sprint and is an advisable strategy to potentiate performance at the start of rowing competitions and sprint regattas.

Analysis of Anthropometric and Body Composition Profile in Male and Female Traditional Rowers

“…In our study, male traditional rowers have similar values of muscle mass (46.7 ± 2.0%) compared to other traditional rowing studies of competitions of the same distance as the present study: 46.5 ± 2.0% [34], and large values than other studies of competitions over much longer distances where slimmer rowers are needed. : 43.5 ± 2.0% [42] 43.3 ± 2.4% [8].…”

“…In the same way, BMI has reached higher values in male rowers (22.8 ± 1.3 kg/m 2 ) than in female rowers (21.4 ± 1.0 kg/m 2 ). Studies about male traditional rowers have shown values of BMI greater than 23 kg/m 2 [34,37] and 24 kg/m 2 [7,8,26]. However, BMI of our male rowers is similar to lightweight Olympic (22.1 ± 0.3 kg/m 2 ) since the rowers in the present study weighed less than the rowers in both traditional and Olympic rowing studies.…”

“…Once the anthropometric study was completed, the rowers performed an all-out 2000 m test on a rowing ergometer (Model D; Concept 2, Inc., Morrisville, VT, USA) with a coupling adapted for the reproduction of the traditional rowing stroke fixing the seat [25,34] and with a PM5 performance monitor to collect mean power output reached in the test, and its equivalence in time. All the rowers were familiar with the rowing machine and with the drag factor used: 160 for males and 140 for females.…”

Physiological and Mechanical Responses to a Graded Exercise Test in Traditional Rowing

“…In Olympic rowing, the seat moves stern and bow, while in traditional rowing there is no seat movement. In the latter modality, the rower’s support of the ischial region is located on a fixed bench instead of sitting on a mobile seat [ 19 ]. This modality is called traditional rowing because it is how rowing was originally practiced.…”

The Effect of Complex Training Potentiation on Reactive Strength Index Parameters: Experimental Study

“…1 ASP protokollerini takiben, optimal aktivasyon performansı için gerekli toparlanma süresinin belirlenmesinde kişiselleştirme ilkesi anahtardır. 7 Kas gücünün ASP ile artırıldığı zaman aralığını belirlemek, ASP ilkelerini uygulamanın daha uygulanabilir hâle getirilmesinde bir sonraki önemli adım-dır. Bunu yaparken, kas kuvveti düşüşünün 2 olası nedeni düşünülmelidir: ASP'den sorumlu fizyolojik mekanizmaların bozulması ve artan kas yorgunluğu seviyeleri.…”