Prediction of 2,000 meter Rowing Time in Elite Heavyweight Oarswomen

Abstract

Performance testing of rowers is often conducted on rowing ergometers (erg) at a distance of 2,000 meters (m). Research with elite male rowers has shown power and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) as the best predictors of 2,000 m erg time (2K). However, elite oarsmen of similar VO2 max and body mass often have differing 2K performances. Further, true elite oarswomen remain understudied and the best predictor of 2K performance is unclear. PURPOSE: Therefore, we examined the relationship between certain anthropometric and physiologic measures to 2K time in elite heavyweight oarswomen. METHODS: Anthropometric measures were conducted on heavyweight oarswomen (n=41, X±SD: age 24.9 ± 2.1 years, height 183 ± 4.5 cm, weight (WT) 79.5 ± 4.97 kg, body fat 17.6 ± 3.91%, fat free mass (FFM) 65.4 ± 3.72 kg), all with competitive international rowing experience who were training for the United States national team. Oarswomen performed an incremental 3-stage exercise bout of 4-minutes each on a rowing erg (Concept II Model D) with constant drag factor. Exercise intensities (60, 70, 80%) were assigned as a percentage of the average wattage from a recent 2K test in which athletes had an average time of 402.9±6.37 sec. Heart rate (HR) and VO2 were measured during each stage, and blood lactate (BLA) was determined from samples collected during 1-minute periods between stages. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict 2K from anthropometric data, average 2K power, power per kg, and power per kg FFM, in addition to the following at 60/70/80%: HR, BLA, VO2, O2 pulse, mechanical efficiency, and power. RESULTS: Assumptions of linearity, independence of errors, homoscedasticity, unusual points, and normality of residuals were met. The best model, power at 80% and FFM statistically significantly predicted 2K time, F (2, 38)=3622.23, p<0.0001, adj. R2=0.995. The 2K was found to correlate significantly (p<0.0001) with power at 80% (r=-0.997), average 2K power (r=-0.998) and FFM (r=-0.498). WT (r=-0.473; p=0.001), power per kg (r=-0.292; p=0.032), and power per kg FFM (r=-0.367; p=0.009) were also significantly correlated. CONCLUSION: The strongest correlates to 2K are power and FFM. It is recommended that training goals for elite heavyweight oarswomen focus on increasing FFM, power generation, and improving power per kg of body WT.