CAN LIFTING WEIGHTS BUILD A BIGGER AEROBIC ENGINE?

Reviewed study: Lundby, C., Mazza, O., Nielsen, J., Haubro, M., Kvorning, T., Ørtenblad, N., & Gejl, K. D. (2024). Eight weeks of heavy strength training increases hemoglobin mass and V̇O₂peak in well-trained to elite female and male rowers. Journal of Applied Physiology, 136(1), 1–12.

By Alex Wolf

Strength training is already part of most serious rowing programmes, but could it develop more than strength? This study asks whether heavy lifting can also increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity and aerobic power and whether doing substantially more lifting produces a greater return.