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Huntsman, HD, DiPietro, L, Drury, DG, and Miller, TA. Development of a rowing specific o2max field test. J Strength Cond Res 25(6): 1774-1779, 2011-The purpose of this study was to develop an aerobic capacity test for rowers using minimal equipment that could be used in the field. Thirty rowers (15 men and 15 women) between the ages of 18 and 26 years were recruited on a volunteer basis from the District of Columbia metro area. The testing protocol consisted of a maximum of 7 2-minute stages on a rowing ergometer, separated by 30-second breaks where lactic acid concentrations were analyzed. Starting intensity for men was 200 W, although women started at 150 W, and each stage increased by 50 W. Expired gasses were collected during the test, and athletes were asked to row until maximal volition so that the directly measured o2max could be compared to predicted values. Peak heart rates from each completed stage were plotted, and regression equations were calculated to predict o2max. Separate regression equations were calculated for men and women. The predicted o2max values were approximately 23 and 25% lower than what was actually achieved for men and women, respectively. Heart rate was a stronger correlate of o2max in men compared with in women. Among men, we observed a moderate and statistically significant correlation (r = 0.55; p = 0.05), whereas among women, no such agreement was observed (r = -0.05; p > 0.85). The principle finding of this study was that the test was adequate in predicting o2max in men but was inadequate in its prediction in women. With slight modifications to the testing protocol, stronger correlations and a more accurate prediction of o2max is expected in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examined whether a test protocol consisting of seven, two-minute exercise stages on rowing ergometer, with each stage separated by 30 seconds of rest, could serve as an effective test for the aerobic capacity of rowers. Results indicated the regimen was an accurate means of predicting aerobic capacity for men, but not for women.

Inacio, M, Dipietro, L, Visek, AJ, and Miller, TA. Influence of upper-body external loading on anaerobic exercise performance. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 896-902, 2011-The purpose of this study was to assess the threshold where simulated adipose tissue weight gain significantly affects performance in common anaerobic tasks and determine whether differences exist between men and women. Forty-six subjects (men = 21; women = 25) were tested for vertical jump, 20- and 40-yd dash, and 20-yd shuttle tests under 6 different loading conditions (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% of added body weight). Results were compared to each subject's baseline values (0% loading condition). Results demonstrate significant decrements in performance, starting at the 2% loading condition, for both genders, in every performance test (p < 0.05). On average, subjects jumped 4.91 ± 0.29 to 9.83 ± 0.30 cm less, increased agility test times from 5.49 ± 0.56 to 5.86 ± 0.61 seconds, and increased sprint times from 7.80 ± 0.96 to 8.39 ± 1.07 seconds (2-10%, respectively; p < 0.05). When lower-body power was corrected for total body mass, men exerted significantly more power than women did in every loading condition. Conversely, when lower-body power was corrected for lean body mass, men exerted significantly more power than did women only at the 2% loading condition. This study demonstrates that for the specific anaerobic performance tests performed, increases in external loading as low as 2% of body weight results in significant decreases in performance. Moreover, for these specific tests, men and women tend to express the same threshold in performance decrements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the effect of weight training on competitive rowing ability. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol, which involved comparing two types of weight training with one type of aerobic training. It was found that all three programs produced improvements.