(3) DETERMINATES OF 5-KILOMETER ERGOMETER ROWING PERFORMANCE IN DIVISION 1 FEMALE COLLEGIATE ROWERS

Rowing is an endurance-based sport and is contested on water where rowers must complete race distance as quickly as possible. 2km is the standardized competitive distance, however courses can range from 250m to 15km. Aerobic factors are the main determinants of performance, but individuals must also have strength, muscular power, and technique.

Purpose: To determine which performance indicators reflect 5km ergometer rowing performance in collegiate women's rowing.

Methods: 18 division 1 female collegiate rowers (18. ± 4 years, 79.1 ± 45.7 kg, 172.5 ± 20 cm) took part in 3 testing sessions spanning across a 3-month training period. Lactate threshold (LT) was obtained in the first testing session by completing four, four-minute stages of rowing on a Concept2 ergometer beginning at 50% of the athletes’ 2k wattage and increasing the wattage each stage. Between each stage a 90 second rest was given where heart rate, RPE (via Borg Scale), and lactate were recorded. The wattage at 4mmol of lactate was found and used for analysis. VO₂ max was obtained in the second testing session via a Concept2 rowing ergometer. The rowers completed seven, two-minute stages of rowing beginning at a 500 m split time of 2:30 with the target split time decreasing incrementally each stage. A parvo metabolic cart was used to measure expired gas. The highest value obtained during the VO₂max test was used for analysis. Isometric strength testing was completed during the third testing session. The isometric row (IR) was used to obtain peak force of the upper body musculature and the isometric squat (IS) was used to obtain peak of the lower body musculature. Peak force was recorded for each test. Lean body mass (LBM) was obtained by using air displacement plethysmography via the Bod Pod. 5km rowing performance was collected on the Concept2 ergometer. Data was assessed for normality with the Shapiro-Wilks test and visual inspection of Q-Q plots and then analysed using a backwards stepwise linear regression.

Results: All data was found to be normally distributed. Statistically significant values were obtained from all analyzed models. Values for models 1-4 can be found in Table 1, with an outcome of F (2,16) = 18.676, p < .001).

Conclusion: All outcome measures were shown to be significant. Lactate Threshold and LBM provide the most explanation of 5-kilometer ergometer rowing performance showing 70% of the variance observed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: With LT and LBM providing the most explanation for 5-kilometer ergometer rowing performance, it is suggested that coaches utilize training methods referring to athletes’ LT values and focus on exercise programs targeting an increase in overall LBM. Training protocols focusing on leg strength as well as targeting the upper body posterior muscles would be useful as the athletes use both these muscle groups when performing rowing actions on the ergometer as well as in the boat during on-water training.

 

Acknowledgements: None