Does Muscle Soreness Affect 2km Performance? By Will Ruth
Hydration for Rowers: By Blake Gourley
How Rowers Can Manage Jet-Lag and Travel Fatigue: By Joe DeLeo
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Investigating the effects of typical rowing strength training practices on strength and power development and 2,000 m rowing performance. Gee, T., Caplan, N., Gibbon, K., Howatson, G., & Thompson, K. (2016). Journal of Human Kinetics, 50.
Researchers investigated the acute effects of three full-body strength training sessions on 2km erg performance in 28 male competitive rowers. All rowers did identical rowing and erging training, including a 2km erg test the week before the strength training sessions and a 2km test 24 hours following the final strength training session. The group of rowers who did strength training achieved the same average time from initial test to final test, while the control group rowers who did no strength training improved 2km time by an average of 1.6 seconds. We can learn from this study how to manage and schedule strength training to minimize interference with rowing training and racing performance.
Rowing performance after dehydration: An unexpected effect of method. Kelly, D., Nepotiuk, A. & Brown, L. (2021). SportRχiv.
Three female and 11 male competitive rowers performed two all-out 2Ks; one after adequate hydration, and the other after 12 hours of dehydration followed by two hours of rehydration. Rowers went 2.4 seconds slower in the dehydrated condition despite the two-hour rehydration window. Individualized hydration strategies should help rowers avoid losses in performance due to short-term, long-term, or chronic levels of dehydration.
The effect of westward travel across five time zones on sleep and subjective jet-lag ratings in athletes before and during the 2015’s World Rowing Junior Championships. Kolling, S., Treff, G., Winkert, K., Ferrauti, A., Meyer T., Pfeiffer, M. & Kellmann, M. (2016). Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(22).
Researchers explored the impact of travel fatigue and jet-lag on 55 German Junior National Team rowers. The rowers were traveling across five time zones to compete at the 2015 World Rowing Championships. The researchers found the greatest jet-lag effects and travel fatigue within the first 24 hours of arrival. Coaches and rowers can use this study to improve their approach to extensive travel.
About Science of Rowing
“Science of Rowing” is a monthly publication created by three dual rowing-and-strength coaches: Will Ruth, Blake, Gourley, and Joe DeLeo. Our goal is to move research into practice for coaches and rowers of all ages, types, and levels. We are entirely member-funded and do not promote products or sell advertisements. Members receive one issue each month containing three reviews of recent and applicable research in rowing training, strength training for rowing, and other relevant performance areas like psychology, injury analysis, technology, and more.
Each issue includes video and graphic content to help move the knowledge into practice, as well as a podcast episode of the three of us discussing the takeaways and our experiences. Membership includes access to all prior issues, so join us for one month and get access to every issue. We also offer discounted annual and team memberships, as well as gift memberships for a special rower or coach in your life.