ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of off-season training on the anaerobic power output and muscle thickness of male varsity rowers. 23 rowers participated in this study. Four all-out cycle ergometer work tests lasting 7 and 40 seconds were used to estimate anaerobic alactic power (AAP) and anaerobic lactic power (ALP) with leg (pedaling) and arm (cranking) exercises. AAP was computed as the highest power output during 7 seconds and ALP was obtained as the mean power output during 40 seconds. Muscle thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography at 11 sites on the body. There were significant differences between before and after off-season training in AAP (cranking : 8.4±1.00 vs 9.2±1.10W /kg, p<0.001, pedaling: 14.4± 1.10 vs 15.0±1.00 W/kg, p<0.001) and ALP (cranking : 5.2±0.42 vs 5.5±1.20W/kg, p<0.001, pedaling: 10.1±0.62 vs 9.5±2.10 W/kg, n, s.) . Muscle thickness increased significantly as a result of off-season training at sites on the biceps, triceps, pectoralis major, subscaplar and hamstrings. Similarly, there were significant differences in estimated muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) on sites on the elbow flexor (20.6±2.6 vs 22.1±1.8cm<SUP>2</SUP>, p< 0.01), elbow extensor (25.3 ±4.8 vs 28.6±4.2cm<SUP>2</SUP>, p<0.001) and knee flexor (71.1±5.8 vs 74.3±5.2cm<SUP>2</SUP>, p<0.01) . The main training program in the off-season consisted of resistance training of the whole body. The high intensity training, used by male varsity rowers during off-season training, increased arm AAP, leg AAP, arm ALP and muscle thickness of the upper body ; but there was no difference in leg ALP and knee extensor muscle. It was suggested that improvements in leg ALP and knee extensor muscle are necessary to during the off-season training program of male varsity rowers.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of the ability of aerobic and anaerobic power output and the muscle thickness at each site of varsity kayak paddlers. Twenty-three male kayak paddlers who divided into skilled and unskilled group by their career participated in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake as a measure of aerobic power was determined with a progressive arm cranking exercise. Four all-out ergometer work tests lasting 7 and 40 seconds were used to estimate anaerobic alactic power and anaerobic lactic power with leg (pedaling) and arm (cranking) exercises. Anaerobic alactic power (AAP) was computed as the highest power output during 7 seconds and anaerobic lactic power (ALP) was obtained as the mean power output during 40 seconds. Muscle thickness were measured by B-mode ultrasonography at 11 sites on the body. Maximal oxygen uptake of skilled paddlers (3.501/min) was significantly higher than that of unskilled ones (2.701/min) . Similarly, there were significant differences between skilled and unskilled paddlers in AAP and ALP, especially as measured by the arm cranking exercise. The results showed that the career of arm-specific training induced the large specificity of aerobic and anaerobic power output with arm cranking mode. Muscle thickness of skilled paddlers were significantly larger than those of unskilled paddlers at sites on the biceps, abdomen, back muscles, quadriceps and hamstrings, and these strongly correlated with aerobic and anaerobic power output. It is suggested that for the improvement in power output it was necessary to train the muscles of trunk and thigh, and have a specific exercise mode.