Efficacy Of Anthropometric And Strength Measurements Prediction Of Performance In Collegiate Female Rowers

Abstract

The ability to predict rowing performance at the collegiate level is a vital tool for coaches, however, identifying either a singular or collection of assessments that can reliably predict sports performance can be a challenging endeavor. Recent research has reported a positive correlation between height, body mass and muscle mass with two-kilometer (2 k) rowing ergometer performance in male rowers. Within female rowers, only muscle mass and maximum power in the bench pull positively correlated with 2 k rowing performance. PURPOSE: To determine the best predictive factors from assessment protocol including both anthropometrics and strength tests that can predict 2 k ergometer rowing performance in collegiate female rowers. METHODS: Nineteen Division 1 collegiate female rowers (20.2 ± 1.0 yrs) volunteered and granted informed consent. The following anthropometric measures were assessed: (1) height, (2) sitting height, (3) weight, (4) body mass index (BMI), (5) body composition (BodPod), (6) bilateral arm length, (7) wingspan, and (8) bilateral leg length. The following strength measures were assessed: (1) bilateral handgrip strength, (2) isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) max force measured via dual force plates (1000 Hz). Rowing performance was assessed via average power (Watts) using a maximum 2 k ergometer test. A multivariate regression analysis and subsequent backward selection was performed to find individual or grouping of factors that significantly explained the variance of 2 k rowing performance. Significance level was set at 0.05 apriori. RESULTS: The full battery of factors significantly predicted 2 k rowing performance (R2 = .94), however, no individual factor showed statistical significance (p-value range: 0.09-0.92) in explaining performance. Backwards stepwise removal revealed a significant effect of average grip strength (p < .05), fat free mass (p < .05) and a significant interaction effect (p < .05) (R2 = .43, p < .1) with rowing performance. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the ability of trainable and modifiable factors of grip strength and fat free mass to moderately predict rowing 2 k performance. Coaches and athletes would benefit from measuring and tracking both qualities over time.