The relationship of physical and physiological parameters to 2000 m simulated rowing performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the physiological requirements of a 2000 m simulated rowing performance, and to examine the relationship between this performance and various physical and physiological parameters. The measurements made on 22 female and 10 male rowers included a 2000 m simulated rowing performance, height, body mass, ventilatory threshold (VT), power output at VT (PO at VT), heart rate at VT, absolute maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), power output at VO2max (PO at VO2max), and leg and bench press one repetition maximum (1 RM). A 2000 m simulated rowing test was performed at a mean intensity of 90.2% of VO2max, 77.0% of the PO at VO2max, and at 95.8% of HRmax. Significant correlation was found between the 2000 m rowing time and a competitor's height (r= —0.83), body mass (r = ‐0.69), VT (r = ‐0.81), PO at VT (r=‐0.74), VO2max (r = ‐0.96), PO at VO2max (r = — 0.83) and all strength variables (r = —0.56 to —0.79), respectively. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that the absolute VO2max was the best predictor of 2000 m simulated rowing performance (p ≤ 0.05). It was also found that males utilize strength to a greater degree than female to perform the 2000 m simulated rowing performance trial.