Can the 20 and 60 s All-Out Test Predict the 2000 m Indoor Rowing Performance in Athletes?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to look for a new, simple, and fast method of assessing and monitoring indoor race performance and to assess the relationship between 20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m indoor rowing performances of youth rowers to evaluate their anaerobic profile.Methods: For three consecutive days, 17 young able-bodied male rowers (15.8 +/- 2.0 years), performed three tests (20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m) on a rowing ergometer. Mean power (W-20, W-60, and W-2000) and 2000 m time (t(2000)) were considered for the analysis. In addition, 14 athletes (15-18 years) performed a 20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m tests and used this as a control group. To define the anaerobic profile of the athletes, W-20 and W-60 were normalized as percentages of W-2000. Associations between variables were determined by means of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r).Results: Mean power decreased with increasing test duration (W-20 = 525.1 +/- 113.7 W; W-60 = 476.1 +/- 91.0 W; W(2000=)312.9 +/- 56.0 W) and negative correlations emerged between t(2000) (418.5 +/- 23.1 s) and W-20 (r = -0.952, p < 0.0001) and W-60 (r = -0.930, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: These findings indicate that W-20 and W-60 are significant predictors of 2000 m rowing ergometer performances. Furthermore, normalized W-20 and W-60 can be used to evaluate athletes and as a reference for planning anaerobic training sessions, on a rowing ergometer.