If the 2000-metre ergometer test is a valid indicator of the physiological capacity for on-water racing, performance on the ergometer and on-water racing should be correlated. All major rowing races at International and National Competitions are contested over a distance of 2000 metres. The 2000-metre ergometer test involves the simulation of a race in controlled conditions where the rower is required to complete an amount of work equivalent to a distance of 2000 metres on the ergometer in the shortest possible time. The comparison of "performance" from on-water racing to the rowing ergometer involved two groups. Group 1 included 26 male rowers (x ± SD; height = 191.6 ± 5.3cm; body mass = 91.2 ± 7.3kg; VO2 peak = 5.38 ± 0.42L/min) who participated in a 2-week rowing camp. During the camp athletes completed two 2000-metre tests on a Concept IIb rowing ergometer and two 2000-metre races with standing start, racing in coxless pairs. Group 2 included 54 heavyweight male rowers seeking selection in the Australian National Rowing Team. Athletes in this group were required to complete a number of 2000-metre ergometer tests and 2000-metre on-water races as National selection criteria. A positive correlation (r=0.74; p<0.05) was observed between finishing order of crews in a 2000-metre race and 2000-metre ergometer time. Better placed crews in on-water racing had faster times (crew average) for the 2000-metre ergometer test. Eighteen athletes selected in the National Team had significantly faster (p<0.01) 2000-metre ergometer times than 36 non-selected athletes. Mean times (min:sec) for selected and non-selected athletes were 6.01 and 6.09, respectively. Results indicated little overlap between 25-75% times for the two groups. Furthermore 7 out of the top 10 performers on the 2000-metre ergometer test were selected for the Team based on on-water race results. Therefore, there is evidence to suggest a strong association between factors determining performance on 2000-metre ergometer test and those affecting 2000-metre race performance. Additionally, it is interesting to note that a strong positive correlation (r=0.67; p<0.01) was observed between body mass and 2000-metre ergometer time. This result suggests that body mass, or more precisely muscle mass, may be one determinant of 2000-metre ergometer time.
© Copyright 1999 5th IOC World Congress on Sport Sciences with the Annual Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport 1999. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.