ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Physique traits of lightweight rowers and their relationship to competitive success

G J Slater¹, A J Rice¹, I Mujika¹, A G Hahn¹, K Sharpe², D G Jenkins³

¹ Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, Canberra, ACT 2616, Australia
² Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
³ School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Gary J Slater
Singapore Sports Council, 15 Stadium Road, National Stadium, Singapore 397718; Gary_Slater{at}ssc.gov.sg

Objectives: Physique traits and their relationship to competitive success were assessed amongst lightweight rowers competing at the 2003 Australian Rowing Championships.

Methods: Full anthropometric profiles were collected from 107 lightweight rowers (n = 65 males, n = 45 females) competing in the Under 23 and Open age categories. Performance assessments were obtained for 66 of these rowers based on results in the single sculls events. The relationship between physique traits and competitive success was then determined.

Results: Lower body fat (heat time estimate –8.4 s kg^–1, p<0.01), greater total body mass (heat time estimate –4.4 s kg^–1, p = 0.03), and muscle mass (heat time estimate –10.2 s kg^–1, p<0.01) were associated with faster 2000 m heat times.

Conclusions: The more successful lightweight rowers were those who had lower body fat and greater total muscle mass.

Abbreviations: ISAK, International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry; NATA, National Association of Testing Authorities; SAM, somatotype attitudinal mean

Keywords: anthropometry; performance; rowing; weight category

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