Introduction: Variations in body size due to environmental influences are much larger than those resulting from genetic differences (Johnston,1995). Changing the status of morphological characteristics, in relation to the movement of change of motor skills in sport has always had an interest in tracking parameters in elite sport. Also interesting were the changes in the morphological status of the sport maturing rowers. Knowledge in this area should provide guidance in the treatment of rowers in their development. The aim of this study was to determine the size and direction of changes in anthropometric characteristics of elite rowers over 7-year time span. Methods: In a sample of 11 top rower and Olympic medal winner at the World Championships was applied ex post facto study with the aim of monitoring changes in the morphological characteristics. The same surveyor has made measuring 21 morphological variables in both measurements. Data at initial measurements were taken in the last year of junior or first year of senior age. At that time, none of the rowers had recorded excellent results at the international rowing scene. Final measurements were taken after seven years, when all observed rowers have won a medal at the Olympics or World Championships. Of course, some of the observed rowers had medals from both competitions. In the observed sample variables was applied unilateral variance analysis using the statistical package version 11 STATISTICS. Results: In addition to age, which is expected statistically significant difference, statistically significant differences were obtained for seven parameters. A significant increase (by F values) was achieved in biilicristal breadth, biepycondilar femur, forearm girth, upper arm girth flexed and chest girth. At the same time, significant decrease of triceps skinfold, while the other two skin folds numerically lower but not statistically significant. Discussion: The obtained data indicate a statistically significant increase in soft tissue that connects the upper body and lower body extremities, as well as the associated skeletal system that merges the underlying musculature. The same is consistent with the results obtained by transversal research of rowers in relation to the age group (Marinovic, 1996), as well as motor skills accountable for better results in the execution of the rowing ergometer (Marinovic, 1999).
© Copyright 2014 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Amsterdam, 2. - 5. July 2014. Veröffentlicht von VU University Amsterdam. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.