The purpose of this study was to determine the relative influence of total lean body mass (LBM), body fat percentage (BF%), upper extremity lean mass (ULM), lower extremity lean mass (LLM), and trunk lean mass (TLM) on maximal aerobic capacity (Vo2max) and time to exhaustion (Tmax) in female collegiate rowers. One hundred seven female collegiate rowers (aged 18-22 years) performed maximal progressive rowing ergometer testing to determine Vo2max and Tmax. Body mass, LBM, BF%, ULM, LLM, and TLM were determined by using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Separate multivariable linear regression models were performed to predict Vo2max and Tmax by using LBM and BF% as predictors. In addition, separate linear regression models were used to predict Vo2max and Tmax with ULM, LLM, and TLM as covariates. Subjects were aged 20 ± 3 years. Vo2max was significantly predicted by LBM (r2 = 0.29, p < 0.001), but not BF% (r2 = 0.002, p = 0.79). Similarly, Tmax was significantly predicted by LBM (r2 = 0.25, p < 0.001), but not BF% (r2 = 0.003, p = 0.19). Vo2max was significantly predicted by LLM (r2 = 0.12, p < 0.01), but not ULM (r2 = 0.08, p = 0.68) or TLM (r2 = 0.09, p = 0.17), and Tmax was significantly predicted by TLM (r2 = 0.09, p = 0.02), but not ULM (r2 = 0.07, p = 0.89) or LLM (r2 = 0.08, p = 32). Among female collegiate rowers, whole body LBM is a significant predictor of both Vo2max and Tmax. However, LLM is a stronger predictor of Vo2max while TLM is a stronger predictor Tmax, although each of these relationships has a low coefficient of determination. These findings suggest that aerobic fitness and performance may be influenced by regions of lean mass differently.
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