Rowing ergometers are commonly used as a training tool for increasing rowing-specific aerobic capacity and provide quantitative, individualized performance data. Historically, 2,000-m time trials have been used to evaluate aerobic fitness, however, these tests are taxing and require adequate recovery. Therefore, a 3-minute maximal effort test may provide a more efficient benchmark for rowing performance that correlates with 2,000-m time with a lower degree of fatigue. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a maximal effort 3-minute rowing test is correlated with 2,000-meter time in female collegiate rowers. Methods: Sixteen female collegiate rowers (means ± SD; age: 19.4 ± 1 year old; experience: 1.3 ± 0.8 years experience) volunteered to participate in the study. On the first day, following a warm-up, the athletes completed a 2,000-m time trial on a rowing ergometer. Total time and average 500-m split times were recorded for each athlete. Nine days later, following the same warm-up, athletes completed a 3-minute, all-out distance trial on the rowing ergometer. Total meters and average 500-m split time were recorded for each athlete. During both rowing trials, athletes were given strong verbal encouragement by testers and teammates to maximize their performance. Descriptive and correlation statistics were calculated using SPSS statistical software (v. 26, IBM, Inc., Armonk, NY). Results: Statistical analysis revealed an average 2,000-m time trial of 8.16 ± 0.49 minutes with an average 2,000-m split of 2.04 ± 0.12 min/500-m. The average 3-minute distance trial of 771.5 ± 41.2 meters had an average of 1.95 ± 0.10 min/500-m split. The 2,000-m time trial was negatively correlated with the meters rowed (r (14) = -0.925, p < 0.001) during the 3-minute distance trial. Further, the 2,000-m time trial was positively correlated with average 500-m split during the 3-minute distance trial (r (14) = 0.922, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These data suggest that a maximal effort 3-minute distance trial was highly correlated with a 2,000-m time trial on a rowing ergometer. Although this sample is small and the athletes were relatively new to the sport, the strong, positive correlations found herein suggest that the 3-minute test may be a time efficient assessment of rowing performance between 2,000-m tests. Practical Applications: Strength and conditioning professionals, coaches, and practitioners may elect to use the less systemically-taxing 3-minute test to track fitness progress in rowers during the winter season in preparation for moving outdoors onto the water.
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