INVESTIGATION OF THE ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ERGOMETER PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG MALE ROWERS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the anthropometric and body composition characteristics, as well as the maximum rowing ergometer performance (Ergo; W), of young male rowers based on an international sample. A total of 82 athletes from seven countries participated in the study (mean age: 17.23 ± 1.09 years). Measured parameters included body height, body weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage, arm span, lower limb length, sitting height, and body surface area. No statistically significant differences were found between the national groups (p > 0.05), but strong correlations were identified between certain anthropometric parameters and performance across the entire sample. The strongest relationships were observed between body surface area (r = 0.7813; p = 0.000), body weight (r = 0.7385; p = 0.001), and body height (r = 0.7124; p = 0.001) and ergometer performance. Arm span, sitting height, and lower limb length showed moderate correlations. The findings support previous literature and emphasize the importance of anthropometric parameters in talent identification and training planning in rowing.