Effects of Novel Supramaximal Interval Training Versus Continuous Training on Performance in Preconditioned Collegiate, National, and International Class Rowers

Abstract

This investigation compared supramaximal oxygen uptake interval training with continuous training in collegiate, national, and international class rowers. It was hypothesized that 6 supramaximal intensity sessions over 11 days would increase power on selected power measures. After 8 weeks of training for a new season, 10 heavyweight and 6 lightweight rowers were randomized into 2 groups. A ramp test to limit of tolerance to determine peak aerobic power (6 females: 25 W·min; 10 males: 30 W·min) and an all-out 3-minute test to determine peak power, 60-second power, critical power, and work above critical power (W') were performed before and after training. A supramaximal training session consisted of 10 cycles of 10-second work (140% peak aerobic power):5-second recovery followed by 8 minutes of active recovery, and repeated 6 times. The continuous group performed predominantly moderate intensity (below lactate threshold) training. All training was performed on rowing ergometers. Critical power increased pre-to-post supramaximal (Δ7%) and continuous training (Δ9%), respectively (336 ± 59W to 360 ± 59W; 290 ± 73W to 316 ± 74W; p ≤ 0.05), whereas the mean power output from all performance measures increased only after supramaximal training (Δ7%) (464 ± 158W to 496 ± 184W; p ≤ 0.05). Testing also revealed decreased W' (Δ21%) and 60-second power (Δ4%) pre-to-post continuous training only (p ≤ 0.05). No differences (p > 0.05) in peak aerobic power or peak power were observed pre-to-post training in either group. In conclusion, after an 8-week preconditioning period, supramaximal interval training preserved anaerobic capacity compared with predominantly continuous training and elicited similar increases in critical power in rowers.

Use of Exercise Training to Enhance the Power-Duration Curve: A Systematic Review

“…V̇ o 2 and heart rate have been reported to be highly associated, and the responses during exercise bouts above the gas exchange threshold are fairly equivalent (13,38). The results from the rowing and running interventions are in agreement with that of the cycling training interventions; in that time, at or near V̇ o 2 max appears to a primary determinant of improvements in CP and its analogs (13,42,51,55).…”

“…Table 2 summarizes the CP parameter assessed and percent change from pre to post, the curvature constant and percent change from pre to post, and the assessment and calculation method used. Critical power was assessed in 4 studies (2 cycling (50,55), 1 resistance training (44), 1 rowing intervention (42)), critical velocity (CV) in 5 studies (one resistance training (27), 1 running (13), and 3 swimming interventions (30,32,49)), and critical swim speed (CSS) in 1 study (1 swimming intervention (14)). A curvature constant, serving as an estimate of the amount of work that can be performed above CP, was reported in 7 (13,14,27,30,42,44,51) of the 10 reviewed studies and are summarized in Table 2.…”

“…A curvature constant, serving as an estimate of the amount of work that can be performed above CP, was reported in 7 (13,14,27,30,42,44,51) of the 10 reviewed studies and are summarized in Table 2. Curvature constants reported included the following: W′ (kJ or J) assessed in 3 studies (1 cycling (51), 1 resistance training (44), and 1 rowing intervention (42)), anaerobic running distance (ARD) (m) assessed in 1 study (resistance training intervention (27)), D’ (e.g., D prime) (m) assessed in 1 study (running intervention (13)), anaerobic distance capacity (ADC) (m) assessed in 1 study (swimming intervention (14)), and anaerobic work capacity (AWC) (m) assessed in 1 study (swimming intervention (30)). Improvements in CP and W′ and respective analogs will be discussed by training modality in subsequent paragraphs.…”

“…The 1 study implementing a rowing training intervention assessed CP and W′, with significant within-group differences reported for only CP (42). In addition, peak aerobic power from an incremental rowing test and peak power at both 10 and 60 seconds and mean power from a 3-minute all-out rowing test were assessed, with only significant within-group differences reported for mean power (42).…”

“…Critical power was assessed in 4 studies (2 cycling (50,55), 1 resistance training (44), 1 rowing intervention (42)), critical velocity (CV) in 5 studies (one resistance training (27), 1 running (13), and 3 swimming interventions (30,32,49)), and critical swim speed (CSS) in 1 study (1 swimming intervention ( 14)). A curvature constant, serving as an estimate of the amount of work that can be performed above CP, was reported in 7 (13,14,27,30,42,44,51) of the 10 reviewed studies and are summarized in Table 2. Curvature constants reported included the following: W9 (kJ or J) assessed in 3 studies (1 cycling (51) Table 2 also summarizes the calculation methods for CP, CV, and CSS and their respective curvature constants.…”