REF-533 · Ingham, Whyte, Jones & Nevill, 2002 · European Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol. · Paper
Determinants of 2000-m rowing ergometer performance in elite rowers
Participants & Protocol
n=41 World Championship rowing/sculling finalists: 19 male and 13 female heavyweights, 4 male and 5 female lightweights; model validated in a further 18 elite rowers
Protocol
Cross-sectional correlational study with stepwise regression to predict 2,000 m ergometer speed, validated in a further 18 elite rowers (from the abstract).
Discontinuous incremental rowing to exhaustion → blood lactate threshold, VO2max, power at VO2max; five maximal strokes → maximal force, maximal power, stroke length
Compared with maximal speed in a 2000-m ergometer time trial; stepwise regression to predict speed (m/s)
Key Results
Strongest correlates of 2000-m speed: power at VO2max, maximal power and maximal force — all r=0.95 (p<0.001)
VO2max r=0.88 (p<0.001); VO2 at the blood lactate threshold r=0.87 (p=0.001)
Regression model: power at VO2max + VO2 at lactate threshold + power at 4 mmol/L lactate + maximal power explained 98% of the variance in 2000-m speed
Validation in 18 elite rowers: limits of agreement −0.006 to 0.098 m/s, i.e. −1.5 to 6.9 s (−0.41% to 1.85%)
Practical Application
In 41 World Championship finalists, 2000-m ergometer speed correlated equally with power at VO2max, maximal power and maximal force (r=0.95) and strongly with VO2max (r=0.88) and VO2 at lactate threshold (r=0.87); a model of power at VO2max, VO2 at threshold, power at 4 mmol/L and maximal power explained 98% of the variance and predicted a validation group within −1.5 to 6.9 s. The 2 k is won by an aerobic ceiling delivered with high force per stroke — both halves of the "strength image" are real.
Inference, not tested here: train the erg as an aerobic tool — intervals at power-at-VO2max and threshold work address the aerobic determinants — and keep maximal force/power work in the programme, since they correlated as strongly
For a cyclist or runner it is a non-impact way to accumulate aerobic work while loading the upper body and trunk
Elite absolute values do not transfer; an amateur takes the determinant structure, not the numbers
Limitations
Elite rowers — absolute values do not transfer to a masters/amateur athlete
The erg ≠ on-water rowing (no balance/boat technique); on-water determinants are broader
Cross-sectional (association, not causation); n=41 plus 18 for validation
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level
regraded 2026-09-27 from A: cross-sectional correlational study, n=41 (+18 validation)
Content correction 2026-09-27
"2k rowing (~5.5-7 min) is ~70-88% aerobic", "elite ~570 W average" -> none of these numbers are in the abstract; removed.
"Power at VO2max is the strongest single predictor, then VO2max" and "predominantly aerobic despite its strength image" -> the abstract reports power at VO2max, maximal power AND maximal force tied at r=0.95, with maximal power in the final model; direction corrected — strength measures are co-equal determinants.
Added the abstract's numbers (n=41 by category, r values, 98% variance, validation limits of agreement). Level A -> B per KB-LEVEL-RUBRIC (cross-sectional, n<100). Sport "cycling, running, swimming" -> "rowing".
2026-09-28: added Protocol heading and design bullet from the abstract (Europe PMC PMID 12458367).