Abstract:
Rowing is considered as a strength-endurance sport. Some coaches utilize bench-pull of 240 repetitions to develop the strength endurance needed in rowing racing; however, they lack the knowledge of the physiological profile of this drill. The study took 20 provincial male rowers (9 of heavy-weight, 11 of light-weight) volunteered to participate in one repetition maximum (RM) test of bench-pull, and one bench-pull time trial (40%RM) of 240 repetitions. A portable spirometer was utilized to assess the respiratory gas. Earlobe blood was taken prior to and post the 240-reps bench-pull test. The energy supply during the 240 repetitions bench-pull test was calculated from the accumulated oxygen uptake and blood lactate during the drill and the fast component of the oxygen debt during the recovery. These findings indicate that the 240-reps bench-pull is a strength endurance drill with high intensity; rowers are not suggested to take this endurance drill, but the drill less than 50 repetitions instead.