Morphological and hand grip strength characteristics and differences between participants of the 2022 world rowing championship

Abstract

IntroductionRowing is a strength endurance type of sport, and morphology and mass are undoubtedly performance-related factors. Precisely identifying these morphological factors associated with performance, can assist the exercise scientists and coaches in selecting and developing talented athletes. There is however, a lack of anthropometric data collected at either World Championship or Olympic Games level. The aims of this study were to describe and compare the morphology and basic strength characteristic of male and female heavyweight and lightweight rowers competing at 2022 World Championship (18.–25. September, Račice, Czech Republic).MethodsA total of 68 athletes (of 46 male competitors: 15 competed in the lightweight category and 31 in the heavyweight category; of 22 female athletes: 6 competed in the lightweight category and 16 in the heavyweight category) were assessed using anthropometric methods, bioimpedance analysis and performed a hand-grip test.ResultsBetween heavyweight and lightweight male rowers there were a statistically and practically significant differences in all monitored aspects except the sport age, sitting height/body height ratio and arm span/body height ratio. Between heavyweight and lightweight female rowers there were also statistically and practically significant differences in all monitored aspects except the identical indicators as in male.DiscussionWithin this research it can be argued that female rowers are in many anthropometric aspects more similar to their male counterparts than to female rowers in the lightweight category. In some anthropometric aspects (BMI, thigh girth, calf girth), female rowers are even more similar to male heavyweight than to male lightweight rowers. The physical characteristics of elite male and female lightweight rowers differ radically from those of heavyweight. From a practical point of view, this research can be used to determine what type of athletes should be recruited or selected for heavy category and what type for lightweight category in male and female rowing based on the somatotype.

Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers

“…The handgrip strength of athletes belonging to the WORLD group was superior in comparison to 30 female athletes competing at a United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) powerlifting meet in Salt Lake City, who presented a mean of 32.0 ± 7.1 kgf at a body weight of 82.8 ± 27.8 kg in the highest trial ( Suazo and Debeliso, 2021 ). The handgrip strength of WORLD-level canoe slalom athletes is similar to that of open-category female rowers (right hand: 40.8 ± 6.7; left hand: 40.5 ± 7.6 kgf), which weighs approximately 15 kg more (76.4 ± 5.5 kg), while in terms of fat mass in body composition, female kayakers are more similar to lightweight rowers (15.0% ± 3.1%) ( Busta et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In comparison with female canoe sprint paddlers ( Ackland et al, 2003 ), canoe slalom athletes present similar body height but notable difference in their body weight (62.8 ± 7.0 vs. 67.3 ± 5.9 kg). Female rowers are not only heavier (73.4 ± 5.2 kg) but also taller (176.7 ± 6.4 cm) ( Busta et al, 2023 ). The female competitors of the defined groups do not differ significantly from each other in terms of body height and body weight; with regards to body height, they do not differ from the general population of the respective age (Garcia and Quintana-Domeque, 2007).…”