1
|
van der Zwaard S, Koppens TFP, Weide G, Levels K, Hofmijster MJ, de Koning JJ, Jaspers RT. Training-Induced Muscle Adaptations During Competitive Preparation in Elite Female Rowers. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:781942. [PMID: 34957399 PMCID: PMC8692787 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.781942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Training-induced adaptations in muscle morphology, including their magnitude and individual variation, remain relatively unknown in elite athletes. We reported changes in rowing performance and muscle morphology during the general and competitive preparation phases in elite rowers. Nineteen female rowers completed 8 weeks of general preparation, including concurrent endurance and high-load resistance training (HLRT). Seven rowers were monitored during a subsequent 16 weeks of competitive preparation, including concurrent endurance and resistance training with additional plyometric loading (APL). Vastus lateralis muscle volume, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), fascicle length, and pennation angle were measured using 3D ultrasonography. Rowing ergometer power output was measured as mean power in the final 4 minutes of an incremental test. Rowing ergometer power output improved during general preparation [+2 ± 2%, effect size (ES) = 0.22, P = 0.004], while fascicle length decreased (−5 ± 8%, ES = −0.47, P = 0.020). Rowing power output further improved during competitive preparation (+5 ± 3%, ES = 0.52, P = 0.010). Here, morphological adaptations were not significant, but demonstrated large ESs for fascicle length (+13 ± 19%, ES = 0.93), medium for pennation angle (−9 ± 15%, ES = −0.71), and small for muscle volume (+8 ± 13%, ES = 0.32). Importantly, rowers showed large individual differences in their training-induced muscle adaptations. In conclusion, vastus lateralis muscles of elite female athletes are highly adaptive to specific training stimuli, and adaptations largely differ between individual athletes. Therefore, coaches are encouraged to closely monitor their athletes' individual (muscle) adaptations to better evaluate the effectiveness of their training programs and finetune them to the athlete's individual needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan van der Zwaard
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Laboratory for Myology, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tommie F P Koppens
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Laboratory for Myology, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Guido Weide
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Laboratory for Myology, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Koen Levels
- Royal Dutch Rowing Federation, Amstelveen, Netherlands
| | - Mathijs J Hofmijster
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Faculty of Sports and Nutrition, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jos J de Koning
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Richard T Jaspers
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Laboratory for Myology, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thiele D, Prieske O, Chaabene H, Granacher U. Effects of strength training on physical fitness and sport-specific performance in recreational, sub-elite, and elite rowers: A systematic review with meta-analysis. J Sports Sci 2020; 38:1186-1195. [PMID: 32216524 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1745502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to examine the effects of strength training (ST) on selected components of physical fitness (e.g., lower/upper limb maximal strength, muscular endurance, jump performance, cardiorespiratory endurance) and sport-specific performance in rowers. Only studies with an active control group were included if they examined the effects of ST on at least one proxy of physical fitness and/or sport-specific performance in rowers. Weighted and averaged standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were computed to identify effects of ST type or expertise level on sport-specific performance. Our analyses revealed significant small effects of ST on lower limb maximal strength (SMD = 0.42, p = 0.05) and on sport-specific performance (SMD = 0.32, p = 0.05). Non-significant effects were found for upper limb maximal strength, upper/lower limb muscular endurance, jump performance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Subgroup analyses for ST type and expertise level showed non-significant differences between the respective subgroups of rowers (p ≥ 0.32). Our systematic review with meta-analysis indicated that ST is an effective means for improving lower limb maximal strength and sport-specific performance in rowers. However, ST-induced effects are neither modulated by ST type nor rowers' expertise level. ABBREVIATIONS CON: control group; ICC: intraclass correlation coefficient; CRE: cardiorespiratory endurance; F: female; IG: intervention group; INT: intervention group; M: male; Sets: number of sets per exercise; SMD: standardized mean differences; SMDwm: weighted mean SMD; ST: strength training; RCT: randomized controlled trial; Reps: repetitions; RM: repetition maximum; TF: training frequency (times per week); TI: training intensity (eg., % of 1 repetition maximum); TP: training periods (weeks).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Thiele
- Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognitive Sciences, University of Potsdam , Potsdam, Germany
| | - Olaf Prieske
- Professorship for Exercise and Movement, University of Applied Sciences for Sports and Management Potsdam , Potsdam, Germany
| | - Helmi Chaabene
- Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognitive Sciences, University of Potsdam , Potsdam, Germany
| | - Urs Granacher
- Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognitive Sciences, University of Potsdam , Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|