Body Mass and Aerobic Capacity are Robust Predictors of the 2000m Ergometer Rowing Performance: A Laboratory Study

Zoltán Alföldi, Ferenc Ihász, Celal Bulgay, Anna Pápai-Horváth, Ádám Balog, Zsolt B. Katona, Angéla Somogyi, Attila Szabo

Abstract


Purpose: Predicting performance in sports competitions is a popular topic in research. However, only a few studies exist in rowing sports, which suggest that some anthropometric and performance indices might predict performance in various situations. Methods: This work expands past research by examining the effects of five anthropometric measures, such as body mass index (BMI), height, weight, fat, and muscle, and three performance indicators, such as aerobic capacity, maximum speed, and force, while also considering the training history of 38 elite rowers (Mage = 16.89 ± 1.85, range 14.7 to 22.6 years, 61% males) participating in a national championship. Results: Apart from BMI, all measures correlated statistically significantly with the 2000m rowing time. A bootstrapped forward multiple regression yielded the best model with only two predictors (R2 =.995), aerobic capacity and body mass, accounting for 99.5% variance in the 2000m rowing time. Conclusions: While the results support previous findings, such robust prediction has not been reported in the literature. We conjecture that the differences from other past works rest with the high-pressure 2000m performance preceding a national championship. If these findings could be replicated, their practical implication is substantial in preparatory training for rowing contests.

Keywords


Anthropometry, Athletes, Competitive Behavior, Rowing, Oxygen Consumption

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.13n.2p.78

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