title: Effects of a power-focussed resistance training intervention on backward grinding performance in America's Cup sailing.
abstract: This study determined whether backward grinding performance in America's Cup sailing could be improved using a training intervention to increase power capability in the upper-body pull movement. Fourteen elite male sailors (34.9 +/- 5.9 years; 98.1 +/- 14.4 kg; 186.6 +/- 7.7 cm) were allocated into experimental (speed-focussed) and control groups. Grinding performance was assessed using a grinding ergometer and an instrumented Smith machine measured force, velocity and power during the bench pull exercise. Conventional training produced significant improvements in bench pull 1 RM (5.2 +/- 4.0%; p = 0.016) and maximum force production (5.4 +/- 4.0%; p = 0.014). Speed-focussed training improved maximum power (7.8 +/- 4.9%; p = 0.009), power at 1 RM (10.3 +/- 8.9%; p = 0.019) and maximum velocity (8.4 +/- 2.6%; p = 0.0002). Backward grinding performance showed greater improvements in the experimental group than the control group for moderate (+1.8%) and heavy load (+6.0%) grinding. Changes in maximum power output and power at 1 RM had large correlations (r = 0.56-0.61) with changes in both moderate and heavy load grinding performance. Time to peak force had the strongest relationship, explaining 70% of the change in heavy load grinding performance. Although the performance benefit was not entirely clear the likelihood of a detrimental effect was low (< 5%) and therefore implementation could be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport and Recreation Research New Zealand, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand. simonp@nzasni.org.nz
authors.forename: Simon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.forename: Patria A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hume
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Slyfield
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012767:Ships; D055815:Young Adult