Can Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness Tests be Used to Track Rowing Performance Changes in Collegiate Rowers?

The literature has shown that both aerobic capacity and anaerobic capacity are important for exercise performance in rowing. Simple fitness tests (e.g., the modified Wingate test and the graded exercise test) have been validated to examine aerobic and anaerobic capacities in rowers. However, it remains unclear whether these fitness tests can be used to track rowing performance changes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between the changes in fitness test outcomes and the changes in rowing performance. The investigators expect that improvements in rowing performance are closely related to improvements in fitness test outcomes.

Participants will attend two sessions of fitness testing, one in the fall 2020 and one in the spring 2021. Each session will include the modified Wingate test to examine anaerobic capacity, the graded exercise test to examine the aerobic capacity, and the 2,000-meter rowing test on rowing ergometers to assess rowing performance.

Modified Wingate test:

After 3 minutes of warm-up at 40-50% of heart rate reserve, the participants will perform 30 seconds of rowing at maximal effort on the rowing ergometer.

Graded exercise test: