Physical fitness and performance predictors of 2,000 m rowing ergometer time

Abstract

This study examined the physical fitness characteristics of rowers, analyzed the influence of physical factors on rowing performance, and developed predictive equations to inform physical training program desing.Materials and methods: The study involved 36 (rowers aged 1923 years) from Shandong and Jiangxi provinces (PRC). Results. Factor analysis identified several key factors characterizing the functional support of specialized work capacity in competitive rowers and determined each factor's contribution to total sample variance. Principal component method analisis revealed two leading factors that accounted 68.0% of the variability in the data. The results show that in the leading first factor (accounting for 43.0% of the total variance), the key positions are held by the indicators of work capacity in the 30-second and 120-second tests, as well as the indicators of work capacity recorded at the level of maximum oxygen consumption in the step test. The second factor (25.0% of the total variance) was made up of the maximum blood lactate concentration after a 30-second maximal test. Regression Summary for Dependent Variable - the time required to perform the 2,000 m distance on the rowing ergometer (Time 2000 m, s). This model had a linear relationship of 78.767 % and a goodness of fit of R2 = 0.62, p<0.05482. The equation for this model was as follows: Time 2000 m = 543.117-0.058× W 30 s - 3.433 × La max 30 s -1.184× VO2max (ml·min-·1·kg-1) -0.003× W VO2 max -0.209× W 120 s-0.49× La max 120 s. The regression effect of equation is significant by statistical test, showed that the variables are the ones that will determine the time required to perform the 2,000 m distance on the rowing ergometer (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The characteristics of physical fitness and performance indicators of rowers of a homogeneous group (by age and qualification) have been established, which determine the time required to complete a distance of 2000 m on a rowing ergometer.