Adjunctive hiking bouts during 8 weeks regular sailing training improves cardiorespiratory and muscular responses during hiking emulation in highly trained sailors

To investigate the effects of 8-week hiking bench training on cardiorespiratory and muscular responses of highly trained sailors during hiking emulation. Twenty-four sailors were assigned into two groups: the hiking bench training group (HTG, n = 12) and the control group (CG, n = 12). Both groups maintained their regular training with the HTG performed two additional hiking bench training sessions per week for 8 weeks, while the CG performed an equivalent duration of on-water sailing training. Physiological responses were assessed by performing four successive 3-min hiking bouts on a sailing emulation ergometer before and after the 8-week training period. Comparing the pretest, both groups exhibited a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (%VO₂max) and maximal heart rate (%HRmax); the HTG experienced a greater decrease in %VO₂max in bouts 2 and 3. The root mean square (RMS) of rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique decreased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas the mean power frequency (MPF) of RF, VL, and RA exhibited an increasing trend. The RMS of RF and RA in HTG were lower than those in CG in the initial three bouts; VL and EA in HTG were lower than those in CG in bouts 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). The MPF of RA in HTG was significantly increased in bouts 2, 3, and 4 (p < 0.05). Eight-week hiking bench training could improve hiking economy and the activation of lower limb and trunk muscles delaying the onset of fatigue in sailors.