Application of Sport-Specific Strength-Endurance Exercises for Male Rowers Aged 17–18 at Danang National Sport Training Center, Vietnam

This study addresses a critical gap in endurance development for adolescent male lightweight rowers by designing and evaluating a rowing-specific strength-endurance training program tailored to their physiological characteristics and competitive demands. Conducted at the Danang National Sports Training Center in Vietnam, this mixed-methods study incorporated literature review, expert interviews (n = 26), pedagogical observations, and a six-month training intervention. Twenty male rowers aged 17–18 were randomly divided into experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. The experimental group followed a specialized, periodized endurance training regimen, while the control group continued their regular training. Performance was assessed before and after the intervention using six validated indicators: 2000m rowing time, VO₂max, 1000m split-time variability, pull-up and push-up endurance, and anaerobic power. The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements across all indicators (p < 0.05), with gains ranging from 8.2% to 44.2%, while the control group exhibited only marginal, non-significant changes. Key exercises, such as timed 2000m rowing, resistance-based pulling, and 1000m repeated runs, received over 85% consensus among experts for their relevance and effectiveness. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sport-specific, structured strength-endurance training to enhance aerobic and anaerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and pacing efficiency in youth rowing. This study provides a scientifically grounded model for optimizing endurance performance in adolescent rowers and offers practical guidance for coaches and sports training centers, particularly in developing countries. Future research should explore long-term adaptations and assess the model's applicability across different age groups and rowing disciplines. Article visualizations: