Effect of two high intensity interval trainings on performance and rheological characteristics of elite male rowers

Interval training have tremendous effects on physiological aspects of athletic performance. Also there are wide range of findings reported about rheological essences of training. The present study was intended to investigate the effects of two different high intensity interval training (HIIT) regimens on rowing performance and compare it to traditional rowing training in elite male rowers. Thirty elite rowers who represented in Iran national rowing team in 2014 divided into incremental high intensity interval (INC) training (n=10), smooth-like high intensity interval (SMO) training (n=10) and traditional endurance (TRA) training (n=10) randomly (age: 22.4±3.6, height: 187.4±5.9, weight: 83.7±8.7, body fat: 8.7±2.3). Performance characters including VO2max, vRmax, TvRmax, HR and Lactate and also, hemorheological factors were assessed in pre-training. These factors also assessed after a period of 8-week interval training (2 times per week) as post-training. ANOVA was recruited to evaluate the significance level of the changes in 0.05 level using SPSS 16.0. Significant positive increase in VO2max (p=0.0001 and p=0.03 respectively), vRmax (p=0.02 and p=0.02 respectively) and TvRmax of INC and SMO (p=0.03 and p= 0.01 respectively). Also MPO improved in INC (p= 0.02) and SMO (p=0.03). But no any significant change in rheological factors (RBC, Hct, Hb and HCM) was shown between three groups (p≥0.05). Both of interval training regimens improved performance characteristics of the rowers. Nevertheless, INC improves performance in Lactate threshold more than SMO.