Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present the morphological features of rowers. The objective is to establish the type of body build best suited to the present requirements of this sports discipline through the determination of the most important morphological features in rowing with regard to the type of racing boat. The subjects of this study included competitors who practise rowing and were members of the Junior National Team. The considered variables included a group of 32 anthropometric measurements of body composition determined using the BIA method among male and female athletes, while also including rowing boat categories. In order to determine the analysed structures of male and female rowers, an observation analysis was taken into consideration and performed by the k-means clustering method. In the group of male and female rowers using long paddles, higher mean values for the analysed features were observed, with the exception of fat-free mass, and water content in both genders, and trunk length and horizontal reach in women who achieved higher means in the short-paddle group. On the men’s team, both groups differed significantly in body mass, longitudinal features, horizontal reach, hand width and body circumferences, while on the women’s, they differed in body mass, width and length of the chest, body circumferences and fat content. The method of grouping used in this paper confirmed morphological differences in the competitors with regard to the type of racing boat.
Highlights
In light of the research performed, there is no doubt that rowing is one of those sport disciplines in which certain morphological characteristics of a competitor are a prerequisite condition to the achievement of high results
The observations corresponded with the number of racing boats
Analysis revealed the existence of two observations (Table 3): - for the men’s team: first – the majority of male rowers using short paddles, second – the majority of male rowers using long paddles
Summary
In light of the research performed, there is no doubt that rowing is one of those sport disciplines in which certain morphological characteristics of a competitor are a prerequisite condition to the achievement of high results. Research by Piotrowski et al (1992), Skład et al (1993), Bourgois et al (2000), Stewart (2001), Claessens et al (2005), Battista et al (2007), Mikulić (2008), Alacid et al (2011) and Forjasz (2011) indicated that rowers differ from nonathletes in body height and body weight, and in the length of the upper and lower limbs (especially of the shank), width of the shoulders, width of the distal parts of the upperand lower limbs, and large muscular girths of the limbs (especially of the forearm). In light of the results of those authors, characteristics for competitive rowers include proper relationships between tissue components, along with low body fat content and high fat-free mass. Martirosow et al (1985), on the other hand, considered body height, body weight, horizontal reach, trunk length, lower limb length, as well as muscle and fat mass the most diagnostic features in male and female rowers. In light of the results of those authors, characteristics for competitive rowers include proper relationships between tissue components, along with low body fat content and high fat-free mass. Martirosow et al (1985), on the other hand, considered body height, body weight, horizontal reach, trunk length, lower limb length, as well as muscle and fat mass the most diagnostic features in male and female rowers.
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