Acute Effect of Different Velocity-Based Training Protocols on 2000-meter Rowing Ergometer Performance

Abstract

Leandro Quidel-Catrilelbún, ME, Ruiz-Alias, SA, García-Pinillos, F, Ramirez-Campillo, R, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Acute effect of different velocity-based training protocols on 2000-m rowing ergometer performance. J Strength Cond Res 38(1): e8–e15, 2024—This study aimed to explore the acute effect of 4 velocity-based resistance training (VBT) protocols on 2000-m rowing ergometer (RE₂₀₀₀) time trial, as well as the behavior of the maximal neuromuscular capacities when RE₂₀₀₀ is performed alone or preceded by VBT protocols in the same session. Fifteen male competitive rowers (15–22 years) undertook 5 randomized protocols in separate occasions: (a) RE₂₀₀₀ alone (control condition); (b) VBT against 60% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) with a velocity loss in the set of 10% followed by RE₂₀₀₀ (VBT_60-10 + RE₂₀₀₀); (c) VBT against 60% 1RM with a velocity loss in the set of 30% followed by RE₂₀₀₀ (VBT_60-30 + RE₂₀₀₀); (d) VBT against 80% 1RM with a velocity loss in the set of 10% followed by RE₂₀₀₀ (VBT_80-10 + RE₂₀₀₀); (e) VBT against 80% 1RM with a velocity loss in the set of 30% followed by RE₂₀₀₀ (VBT_80-30 + RE₂₀₀₀). The load-velocity relationship (load-axis intercept [L ₀ ], velocity-axis intercept [v ₀ ], and area under the load-velocity relationship line [A _line ]) was used to evaluate the maximal neuromuscular capacities during the prone bench pull exercise before and after each protocol. The time trial was significantly longer for VBT_60-30 + RE₂₀₀₀ and VBT_80-30 + RE₂₀₀₀ than for RE₂₀₀₀, VBT_60-10 + RE₂₀₀₀ and VBT_80-10 + RE₂₀₀₀ (all p < 0.001; ES = 0.10–0.15). L ₀ and A _line were significantly reduced after all protocols (p < 0.001; ES = 0.10–0.13), with A _line reduction more accentuated for VBT_60-10 + RE₂₀₀₀, VBT_60-30 + RE₂₀₀₀, VBT_80-30 + RE₂₀₀₀, and RE₂₀₀₀ (all p = 0.001; ES = 0.11–0.18) than for VBT_80-10 + RE₂₀₀₀ (p = 0.065; ES = 0.05). Therefore, VBT protocols with greater velocity loss in the set (30% vs. 10%) negatively affected subsequent rowing ergometer performance, in line with impairment in A _line pulling performance.