The Effect of Concurrent Plyometric Training Versus Submaximal Aerobic Cycling on Rowing Economy, Peak Power, and Performance in Male High School Rowers

Abstract

BackgroundPlyometric training has been shown to increase muscle power, running economy, and performance in athletes. Despite its use by rowing coaches, it is unknown whether plyometrics might improve rowing economy or performance.The purpose was to determine if plyometric training, in conjunction with training on the water, would lead to improved rowing economy and performance.MethodsEighteen male high school rowers were assigned to perform 4 weeks of either plyometric training (PLYO, n = 9) or steady-state cycling below ventilatory threshold (endurance, E, n = 9), for 30 min prior to practice on the water (matched for training volume) 3 days per week. Rowing performance was assessed through a 500-m rowing time trial (TT) and peak rowing power (RP), while rowing economy (RE) was assessed by measuring the oxygen cost over four work rates (90, 120, 150, and 180 W).ResultsRowing economy was improved in both PLYO and E (p < 0.05). The 500-m TT performance improved significantly for PLYO (from 99.8 ± 9 s to 94.6 ± 2 s, p < 0.05) but not for E (from 98.8 ± 6 s to 98.7 ± 5 s, p > 0.05). Finally, RP was moderately higher in the PLYO group post-training (E 569 ± 75 W, PLYO 629 ± 51 W, ES = 0.66)ConclusionsIn a season when the athletes performed no rowing sprint training, 4 weeks of plyometric training improved the 500-m rowing performance and moderately improved peak power. This increase in performance may have been mediated by moderate improvements in rowing power, but not economy, and warrants further investigation.

Electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis and gastrocnemius implicates a slow stretch-shortening cycle during rowing in the field

“…Numerous studies showed 56,57 that SSC performance can be increased mainly by reactive force capabilities, induced by adequate training (e.g., plyometrics). In the context of plyometric training (SSC related training) in rowing, contradictory research results exist: While one intervention study (n = 18, 4 weeks) revealed rowing-specific performance improvements through plyometric training 28 , another intervention study (9 weeks, n = 24) observed no rowing-specific performance improvements 27 . These contradictory results might be explained by methodological issues: One Study 28 was volume matched but not workload matched and the performance level of the participants (in both studies) 27,28 was very low (500 m time trial mean power was about 45% lower than the performance of the participants in this current study).…”

“…The assumption that the entire muscle tendon complex performs a SSC during this flexion-extension cycle is confirmed by eccentric muscle activity during the late gliding-phase before the start of a new rowing stroke [18][19][20][21][22] . In rowing, jumps are trained over the entire year and thus constitute a central component of the testing and training schedules of rowers [23][24][25][26][27][28] . In this context, fast (such as DJ) and slow SSC movements (such as CMJ) are frequently applied 23,29 .…”

10% Higher Rowing Power Outputs After Flexion-Extension-Cycle Compared to an Isolated Concentric Contraction in Sub-Elite Rowers

“…In general, numerous studies showed (Stojanović et al, 2017;Berton et al, 2018) that SSC performance can be increased mainly by reactive force capabilities, induced by adequate training (e.g., plyometrics). In the context of plyometric training in rowing, contradictory research results, however, exist: While one intervention study (n = 18, 4 weeks) revealed rowingspecific performance improvements through plyometric training (Egan-Shuttler et al, 2017), another intervention study (n = 24, 9 weeks) observed no rowing-specific performance improvements (Kramer et al, 1993). These contradictory findings might partly be explained by methodological issues.…”

Plyometric Training Improves Swimming Performance in Recreationally-Trained Swimmers

“…Likewise greater flexibility has been related to better performance in swimmers. 8 Current research into PT has demonstrated an improvement in jumping ability in activities including soccer, 9 rowing, 10 handball, 11 and hockey. 12 This is no different in swimmers, but the scientific evidence is controversial and limited.…”