The Evaluation of Physical Performance in Rowing Ergometer: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Rowing Performance Analysis

Background:

• Diverse ergometer testing protocols exist for rowing, leading to a lack of consensus on performance predictors.
• Optimizing rowing performance is a growing area of interest in sports science.
• This review synthesizes current ergometer testing protocols and identifies key physiological variables for 2000m performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review ergometer testing protocols used in rowing.
• To identify physiological variables most strongly associated with 2000m rowing performance.
• To provide an updated synthesis of current research in rowing performance optimization.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.
• Inclusion criteria and methodological quality assessment (PROSPERO: CRD420251027702).
• Analysis of 34 studies involving 909 rowers (elite, sub-elite, recreational).

Main Results:

• The 2000m test is the most common protocol (79%), reflecting competition performance.
• Incremental (INCR) tests identify VO2max and Peak Power Output (PPO), strongly correlated with 2000m outcomes.
• Power at lactate threshold and critical power (CP) also show strong associations, especially with time-efficient protocols.

Conclusions:

• Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and Peak Power Output (PPO) are the most robust predictors of 2000m ergometer performance (r = 0.83-0.99).
• Critical Power (CP) is also strongly associated but supported by less evidence.
• Findings, primarily based on male participants (72%), require cautious extrapolation to female rowers.