Rowing and Strength Training Through Menopause – By Will Ruth

Increasing Foot-Stretcher Height – By Blake Gourley

The Reliability and Validity of the Lactate Pro 2 for Rowing – By Joe DeLeo

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Article Summaries

Romero-Parra, N., Maestre-Cascales, C., Marín-Jiménez, N., Rael, B., Alfaro-Magallanes, V., Cupeiro, R., & Peinado, A. (2021). Exercise-induced muscle damage in postmenopausal well-trained women. Sports Health, 13(6).

Nineteen premenopausal and 13 postmenopausal well-trained participants did a squat protocol designed to induce muscle soreness. Researchers evaluated physiological response to the squat protocol and tissue recovery 24 and 48 hours later. All participants experienced similar average muscle soreness, short-term impaired muscular function, and tissue recovery at 24 and 48 hours following the protocol. This suggests that well-trained premenopausal and postmenopausal people can respond similarly to strength training, despite different ages and hormone levels. Rowers and coaches can use the findings of this study to improve training practices before, during, and after menopause.

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Liu, Y., Gao, B., Li, J., Ma, Z., Sun, Y. (2018): Increased foot-stretcher height improves rowing performance: evidence from biomechanical perspectives on water, Sports Biomechanics.

Researchers recruited 10 male rowers from the Chinese National Rowing Team to examine the impact foot-stretcher height has on rowing biomechanics and 200 meter performance in single sculls. The researchers found that higher foot-stretcher heights result in faster and more consistent boat speeds, but those same heights also decrease stroke length. Coaches and rowers can use this information to choose appropriate foot-stretcher heights to maximize their rowing performance. 

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Crotty, N., Boland, M., Mahony, N., Donne, B., & Fleming, N. (2021). Reliability and validity of the Lactate Pro 2 Analyzer. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 25(3)

Researchers analyzed 258 blood samples taken from 22 male rowers during incremental step-tests. The researchers sought to determine the inter-device reliability of the Lactate Pro 2 hand-held analyzer and its validity against a laboratory based lactate analyzer, the YSI 1500 Sport. The researchers found high consistency between both Lactate Pro 2 instruments and determination of lactate threshold when compared to the YSI 1500 Sport. Coaches and sport science staff can save time and financial resources by using the Lactate Pro 2 to reliably and accurately set training zones for their athletes.

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.

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