Purpose: The present intervention study examined the effects of intensity-matched velocity-based strength training with a 10% velocity loss (VL10) versus traditional 1-repetition maximum (1RM) based resistance training to failure (TRF) on 1RM and maximal oxygen uptake () in a concurrent training setting. Methods: Using the minimization method, 21 highly trained rowers (4 females and 17 males; 19.6 [2.1] y, 1.83 [0.07] m, 74.6 [8.8] kg, ) were either assigned to VL10 or TRF. In addition to rowing endurance training (about 75 min·d⁻¹), both groups performed strength training (5 exercises, 80% 1RM, 4 sets, 2–3 min interset recovery, 2 times/week) over 8 weeks. Squat, deadlift, bench row, and bench press 1RM and rowing-ergometer ramp tests were completed. Overall recovery and overall stress were monitored every evening using the Short Recovery and Stress Scale. Results: Large and significant group × time interactions (P < .03, , standard mean differences [SMD] > 0.65) in favor of VL10 (averaged +18.0% [11.3%]) were observed for squat, bench row, and bench press 1RM compared with TRF (averaged +8.0% [2.9%]). revealed no interaction effects (P = .55, , standard mean difference < .23) but large time effects (P < .05, ). Significant group × time interactions (P = .001, , SMD > |0.525|) in favor of VL10 were also observed for overall recovery and overall stress 24 and 48 hours after strength training. Conclusions: VL10 serves as a promising means to improve strength capacity at lower repetitions and stress levels in highly trained athletes. Future research should investigate the interference effects of VL10 in strength endurance sports and its effects when increasing weekly VL10 sessions within one macrocycle.

Each stretch‐shortening‐cycle (SSC) in elite sports (e.g. jumping, cycling), is characterised by utilising optimal movement‐parameters (e.g. muscle shortening velocity), for maximum power (jump height, cycle velocity). It is however unclear if relevant SSC movement‐parameters in rowing, such as stroke rate and gearing, have to be maximised to obtain maximum power output or if an optimum relation emerges. Thus, we measured rowing‐power (P_row), leg‐power (P_leg) and work‐per‐stroke (WPS) at of varying stroke rates (20–45 spm), gearings (lever‐changes 0.87–0.90 m) and drag factors (100–180 Ws³/m³) during rowing. Experienced sub‐elite young athletes performed sprint‐series on (single scull, n = 69, 20 ± 2 years, 186 ± 7 cm, 84 ± 9 kg) and off the water (rowing‐ergometer, n = 30, 19 ± 3 years, 185 ± 11 cm, 77 ± 19 kg). P_row increased with stroke rate for ergometer‐test (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) and boat measurement (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) by 2.7%/stroke and 4.4%/stroke, respectively. Interestingly, stroke rate had a high impact on WPS (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) during boat measurement, compared to no (or specifically no high) impact on WPS (r = −0.10, p = 0.166) during ergometer‐measurements. Drag factor (ergometer: r = 0.83, p < 0.001) and gearing (boat: r = 0.60, p < 0.001) yielded moderate to high correlations to P_row. These results indicate that no optimum stroke rate, gearing and drag factor exist for maximum power in rowing (sprint‐measurement‐range). Accordingly, the measurements yielded maximum power for maximum stroke rate, gearing, and drag factor.

The accurate assessment of the mean concentric barbell velocity (MCV) and its displacement are crucial aspects of resistance training. Therefore, the validity and reliability indicators of an easy-to-use inertial measurement unit (VmaxPro^®) were examined. Nineteen trained males (23.1 ± 3.2 years, 1.78 ± 0.08 m, 75.8 ± 9.8 kg; Squat 1-Repetition maximum (1RM): 114.8 ± 24.5 kg) performed squats and hip thrusts (3–5 sets, 30 repetitions total, 75% 1RM) on two separate days. The MCV and displacement were simultaneously measured using VmaxPro^® and a linear position transducer (Speed4Lift^®). Good to excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (0.91 < ICC < 0.96) with a small systematic bias (p < 0.001; η_p² < 0.50) for squats (0.01 ± 0.04 m·s⁻¹) and hip thrusts (0.01 ± 0.05 m·s⁻¹) and a low limit of agreement (LoA < 0.12 m·s⁻¹) indicated an acceptable validity. The within- and between-day reliability of the MCV revealed good ICCs (0.55 < ICC < 0.91) and a low LoA (<0.16 m·s⁻¹). Although the displacement revealed a systematic bias during squats (p < 0.001; η_p² < 0.10; 3.4 ± 3.4 cm), no bias was detectable during hip thrusts (p = 0.784; η_p² < 0.001; 0.3 ± 3.3 cm). The displacement showed moderate to good ICCs (0.43 to 0.95) but a high LoA (7.8 to 10.7 cm) for the validity and (within- and between-day) reliability of squats and hip thrusts. The VmaxPro^® is considered to be a valid and reliable tool for the MCV assessment.

Introduction: This systematic review and network meta-analysis assessed via direct and indirect comparison the occurrence and magnitude of effects following different nutritional supplementation strategies and exercise interventions on acute and chronic rowing performance and its surrogates.Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycNET and SPORTDiscus searches were conducted until March 2022 to identify studies that met the following inclusion criteria: (a) controlled trials, (b) rowing performance and its surrogate parameters as outcomes, and (c) peer-reviewed and published in English. Frequentist network meta-analytical approaches were calculated based on standardized mean differences (SMD) using random effects models.Results: 71 studies with 1229 healthy rowers (aged 21.5 ± 3.0 years) were included and two main networks (acute and chronic) with each two subnetworks for nutrition and exercise have been created. Both networks revealed low heterogeneity and non-significant inconsistency (I² ≤ 35.0% and Q statistics:p ≥ 0.12). Based on P-score rankings, while caffeine (P-score 84%; SMD 0.43) revealed relevantly favorable effects in terms of acute rowing performance enhancement, whilst prior weight reduction (P-score 10%; SMD − 0.48) and extensive preload (P-score 18%; SMD − 0.34) impaired acute rowing performance. Chronic blood flow restriction training (P-score 96%; SMD 1.26) and the combination of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate and creatine (P-score 91%; SMD 1.04) induced remarkably large positive effects, while chronic spirulina (P-score 7%; SMD − 1.05) and black currant (P-score 9%; SMD − 0.88) supplementation revealed impairment effects.Conclusion: Homogeneous and consistent findings from numerous studies indicate that the choice of nutritional supplementation strategy and exercise training regimen are vital for acute and chronic performance enhancement in rowing.