Physiological mechanisms of muscle strength and power are dependent on the years post obtaining peak height velocity in elite juniors rowers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background It is not yet known whether the years after peak height velocity (PHV) are associated with the physiological mechanisms of muscle strength and power in Juniors rowers. Objective To identify the association between years post PHV (YPPHV) with muscle power and strength in Juniors rowers. Methods We tested 235 Brazilian rowing athletes (male: 171, female: 64, Juniors category). We measured: power (indoor rowing over 100-m, 500-m, 2,000-m and 6,000-m) and muscle strength (one repetition maximum (1RM) test in squat, deadlift, bench press and bent row on the bench). Biological maturation was index by age of PHV. The sample was divided into groups considering YPPHV recent (2.5 to 3.9), median (2.51 to 4.9) and veteran (>4.9). We use a Baysian approach to data handling. Results When compared to their peers in the recent and median post PHV groups, the male veteran group were superior in muscle power (Absolute: 100-m (BF10: 2893.85), 500-m (BF10: 553.77) and 6,000-m (BF10: 22.31). Relative: (100-m (BF10: 49.9)) and strength (BF10≥10.0 in squat, bench press and deadlift), and in the female the veteran group were superior in test time (500-m, BF10: 88.4). Conclusion In elite Juniors rowers the increasing YPPHV are associated with muscle power performance in both sexes and muscle strength performance in males.

Effects of Specific Training Using a Rowing Ergometer on Sport Performance in Adolescents

“…In this sense, recent studies have shown how important muscle strength is during the initial phase of rowing, when the athlete is subjected to high levels of acceleration while extending the upper body [2,5]. Therefore, it is important to investigate the relationship between the way we train our young athletes and their performance to encourage their athletic performance while promoting proper body development [22,23].…”