Motor performance and anthropometric characteristics of youth rowers across gender and nationality

Zoltán Alföldi; Ferenc Ihász; László Suszter

doi:10.2478/bhk-2026-0023

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Motor performance and anthropometric characteristics of youth rowers across gender and nationality

Biomedical Human Kinetics

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Zoltán Alföldi , Ferenc Ihász and László Suszter

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

Study aim

The aim of this study, conducted within the framework of the international “Ramons vers les Jeux” program, was to examine differences and associations in motor performance and anthropometric characteristics of adolescent rowers across genders and national groups.

Materials and methods

A total of 190 athletes from six countries participated in the study (94 boys: 14.24 ± 0.38 years; 96 girls: 14.47 ± 0.26 years). Measurements included body height, body weight, rowing ergometer sprint performance (Wₘₑₐₙ, 100 m), start power test (Wₘ_ax, 5 strokes), standing triple jump (SLJ), and estimated relative aerobic capacity (ErVO_2max) derived from a shuttle run test.

Results

No significant differences were observed between national groups within the same gender (p > 0.05), whereas significant differences were found between boys and girls (p < 0.05). Standing triple jump performance demonstrated significant moderate correlations with both maximum power (Wₘ_ax; r = 0.519, p < 0.001) and sprint performance (Wₘₑₐₙ; r = 0.447, p < 0.001), indicating an association between lower-limb explosive strength and rowing ergometer performance during adolescence. Body weight showed stronger correlations with performance outcomes (Wₘ_ax: r = 0.644; Wₘₑₐₙ: r = 0.562; both p < 0.001) than body height, while estimated aerobic capacity was not significantly related to power-based performance indicators.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that dynamic lower-limb strength and body composition are important contributors to rowing ergometer performance in adolescent athletes. Alongside endurance development, targeted training of explosive leg power should be considered a key component in the long-term development and selection of young rowers.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2026-0023 | Journal eISSN: 2080-2234 | Journal ISSN: 2080-2234

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Language: English

Page range: 258 - 266

Submitted on: Sep 4, 2025

Accepted on: Jun 21, 2026

Published on: Oct 6, 2026

Published by: University of Physical Education in Warsaw

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Ergometer performance,

Explosive strength,

Youth rowing

Related subjects:

Medicine,

Basic medical science,

Basic medical science, other,

Sports and recreation,

Physical education,

Sports and recreation, other

© 2026 Zoltán Alföldi, Ferenc Ihász, László Suszter, published by University of Physical Education in Warsaw
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)