Effect of heavy strength training on muscle thickness, strength, jump performance, and endurance performance in well-trained Nordic Combined athletes

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of supplemental heavy strength training on muscle thickness and determinants of performance in well-trained Nordic Combined athletes. Seventeen well-trained Nordic Combined athletes were assigned to either usual training supplemented with heavy strength training (STR; n = 8) or to usual training without heavy strength training (CON; n = 9). The strength training performed by STR consisted of one lower-body exercise and two upper-body exercises [3-5 repetition maximum (RM) sets of 3-8 repetitions], which were performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Architectural changes in m. vastus lateralis, 1RM in squat and seated pull-down, squat jump (SJ) height, maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)), work economy during submaximal treadmill skate rollerskiing, and performance in a 7.5-km rollerski time trial were measured before and after the intervention. STR increased 1RM in squat and seated pull-down, muscle thickness, and SJ performance more than CON (p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in change in work economy. The two groups showed no changes in total body mass, VO(2max), or time-trial performance. In conclusion, 12 weeks of supplemental strength training improved determinants of performance in Nordic Combined by improving the athletes' strength and vertical jump ability without increasing total body mass or compromising the development of VO(2max).

The effects of heavy upper-body strength training on ice sledge hockey sprint abilities in world class players

“…These findings correspond with other studies that have found simultaneous improvements of maximal strength and sprint abilities following training programs including exercises such as bench press and dumbbell bench pull in kayaking (Liow & Hopkins, 2003) and in wheelchair racing (Turbanski & Schmidtbleicher, 2010). The present improvements in 1RM are slightly lower than the 10% increase in 1RM in a double poling exercise after 12 weeks of heavy strength training in highly trained cross-country skiers (Losnegard et al, 2011), and much lower than the 19-23% improvement after 9-12 weeks heavy strength training in cross country skiers and nordic combined athletes (Osteras, Helgerud, & Hoff, 2002;Ronnestad, Kojedal, Losnegard, Kvamme, & Raastad, 2012). The differences in strength gains between studies can probably be explained by a smaller strength gain potential in the already highly trained upper-body muscles of the elite ice sledge hockey players examined here and a shorter strength training period than in the previous studies.…”

“…Associations between upper-body strength and various types of performances are further supported by studies on elite kayakers (Liow & Hopkins, 2003;Uali et al, 2012), wheelchair racers (Turbanski & Schmidtbleicher, 2010), surfers (Sheppard et al, 2012) and luge athletes (Crossland, Hartman, Kilgore, Hartman, & Kaus, 2011;Platzer, Raschner, & Patterson, 2009). A few of these studies also showed simultaneous improvements of maximal strength and sprint abilities with heavy upper-body strength training (Liow & Hopkins, 2003;Turbanski & Schmidtbleicher, 2010), whereas such training in cross-country skiers improved upper-body strength, skiing economy and endurance performance (Hoff, Gran, & Helgerud, 2002;Losnegard et al, 2011;Osteras, Helgerud, & Hoff, 2002;Ronnestad, Kojedal, Losnegard, Kvamme, & Raastad, 2012). Whether these strength training effects apply for elite athletes who are specialized in an isolated upper-body movement needs to be further elucidated.…”

Effectiveness of an Individualized Training Based on Force-Velocity Profiling during Jumping

“…Previous studies clearly shows the effectiveness of strength training aiming at specifically increasing maximal force capabilities (Cormie et al, 2007, 2010; Rønnestad et al, 2012, 2016; Zaras et al, 2013). They have shown improvements in maximal strength parameters (e.g., 1RM, 1RM/BM ratio) through trainings involving the use of high loads (>70% RM), in order to achieve the maximal neuromuscular adaptations, in periods ranging from 6 to 12 weeks.…”

“…Some traditional training methods have been considered for power improvement, such as: power and ballistic training (e.g., Wilson et al, 1993; Newton et al, 1996; Cormie et al, 2007, 2010; Argus et al, 2011; Markovic et al, 2011; Sheppard et al, 2011; Zaras et al, 2013), heavy-load training (focusing more on strength; e.g., Gorostiaga et al, 1999; Harris et al, 2000; Chelly et al, 2009; Rønnestad et al, 2012, 2016) and combined training (strength-power training; e.g., Wilson et al, 1993; McBride et al, 2002; Kotzamanidis et al, 2005; Cormie et al, 2007, 2010; Smilios et al, 2013; Zaras et al, 2013). This kind of global power training prescription similar for all athletes resulted in contrasting findings as to the effects on jumping performance (e.g., Wilson et al, 1993; Gorostiaga et al, 1999; Harris et al, 2000; McBride et al, 2002; Kotzamanidis et al, 2005; Cormie et al, 2007, 2010; Chelly et al, 2009; Rønnestad et al, 2012, 2016; Smilios et al, 2013; Zaras et al, 2013), likely because of the various levels and F-v characteristics of the populations tested.…”

“…This kind of global power training prescription similar for all athletes resulted in contrasting findings as to the effects on jumping performance (e.g., Wilson et al, 1993; Gorostiaga et al, 1999; Harris et al, 2000; McBride et al, 2002; Kotzamanidis et al, 2005; Cormie et al, 2007, 2010; Chelly et al, 2009; Rønnestad et al, 2012, 2016; Smilios et al, 2013; Zaras et al, 2013), likely because of the various levels and F-v characteristics of the populations tested. Indeed, a training program leading to improve P max while increasing FV imb could result in a lack of change, or even a decrease in jumping performance.…”