Abstract
There is very little research on the anthropometric and physiological profiles of lower-ranked young female athletes, even though, in most rowing clubs, such rowers constitute the vast majority. Therefore, this study investigated the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young Hungarian female rowers of different age categories and sports rankings (international vs. club). Anthropometric and physiological profiles were created for 36 junior (15–16 years), 26 older-junior (17–18 years), and 8 senior (19–21 years) female rowers who were club and international ranked members of seven of the largest Hungarian rowing clubs. Rowers >17-years-old with international rankings significantly outperformed their age-group peers with club rankings in terms of power, absolute VO2 max, and time to cover 2000 m, among other differences, but such differences were not observed with junior rowers. In all age groups, the length of the athletes’ sports career was not significantly associated with differences in anthropometric and physiological characteristics. This study suggests that ranking is not associated with differences in the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of juniors. Thus, with non-elite juniors, it can be more difficult to predict competition outcomes based on differences in anthropometric and physiological profiles.
Highlights
In rowing, sufficient force needs to be generated with each stroke to reaccelerate the boat [1]
This study tested the hypothesis that the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior female rowing athletes, their performance over a 2000 m distance, and their performance on motor tests would differ depending on their age, ranking, and length of sports career
The results suggest that Hungarian female rowers in older age categories have higher values of anthropometric and physiological characteristics than younger athletes
Summary
Sufficient force needs to be generated with each stroke to reaccelerate the boat [1]. In sliding seat rowing, including the Olympic modality, which is the subject of the present study, the force generated by the lower body is of greater importance to rowing performance [7,10]. Research suggests that anthropometric variables (i.e., body mass, body height, length of legs, and body span) and the muscular strength endurance of the trunk and upper and lower limbs are associated with rowing performance [8,11]. The lower limbs produce approximately 46.6% of total rowing power, the trunk produces 30.9%, and the arms and shoulders produce 22.7% [12]. Proportionally long arms and legs (i.e., long levers) and large size bodies provide a biomechanical advantage for sweep rowers [13,14]
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