Purpose. The aim of the study was to develop a mathematical model to determine correlations between selected somatic traits and indoor rowing test results over a distance of 500 m as well as differences in the level of motor fitness of students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Material and methods. The research was carried out on a group of 274 full-time UWM students with the aid of Concept II Indoor Rower. The analysis concerned the effects of students' body weight and body height, year of study and the time required to cover the distance of 500 m during an indoor rowing test. Analysis of variance and regression analysis with stepwise elimination of the polynomial degree and form were used. Results. Only 15 subjects (5.5% of the sample) achieved the highest level of motor fitness, i.e. covered the distance under 92.7 s. A mathematical model describing the effects of decisive variables on the dependent variable was a model of regression of multiple variables of the 2 nd degree. The exogenous variables were subjects' body height and body weight. Conclusions. The proposed mathematical model of regression of multiple variables of the 2 nd degree can be useful for selection of individuals with predispositions to practice rowing at the academic and recreational levels. The proposed method of mathematical model development should be regarded as an algorithm for other, more versatile models involving additional variables.