Anthropometry, strength and benchmarks for development: A basis for junior rowers' selection?

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 30; no. 10; pp. 995 - 1001
• Main Authors: Lawton, Trent W., Cronin, John B., Mcguigan, Michael R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01.06.2012; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anthropometry; Athletic Performance - physiology; Benchmarks; Biological and medical sciences; Ergometry; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender differences; Human performance; Humans; Male; Measurement techniques; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; muscular endurance; performance discriminates; Physical Endurance - physiology; Rowing; rowing ergometer; Sports training; strength testing; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Young Adult; Human; performance discriminates; Sport; muscular endurance; strength testing; Anthropometry; Selection; Ergometer; Development; Endurance; rowing ergometer
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2012.682081

The aims of this study were to establish whether anthropometry, muscle strength and endurance accounted for differences between junior and senior elite rowing ergometer performance, and to determine annual development rates for juniors associated with training. Twenty-six junior (8 females, age 18.0±0.3 years and 18 males, age 17.9±0.2 years) and 30 senior (12 females, 23.7±3.0 years and 18 males, 24.0±3.9 years) heavyweight rowers, were assessed anthropometrically, performed a 2000-m ergometer time-trial, and completed various muscular strength and endurance tests. There were no anthropometrical differences between males; however after controlling for body-fat and standing-height, senior females were of greater body-mass (70.5±4.6 kg and 77.2±5.9 kg, P = 0.01) and sitting-height (89.8±2.2 cm and 92.2±6.1 cm, P = 0.04) than juniors. Moderate to very large standardised differences in all strength and endurance tests were observed between juniors and seniors (effect size (ES) range 0.9-1.9). Greater development rates (5.0% to 6.0%) and adjusted 2000-m performance was associated with upper-body strength (males) and endurance (females). In conclusion, after identification of desirable anthropometry, the 2000-m ergometer potential of juniors may be accounted for by upper-body strength and endurance.