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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(8): 579-582
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8484
Training and Testing
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Rowing Ergometry for Assessment of Aerobic Fitness in Children

P. B. Gibson, S. M. Szimonisz, T. W. Rowland
  • Department of Pediatrics, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Rowing ergometry has not been utilized as a modality for investigating aerobic fitness in children. This study evaluated the feasibility and reproducibility of measuring peak V˙O2 during progressive rowing on a Concept II ergometer in 16 healthy boys aged 9 - 12 years. All subjects were able to row effectively after minimal modeling and verbal instruction. Mean peak V˙O2 values on two trials were 42.9 (± 7.9) and 41.6 (± 8.7) ml × kg-1 × min-1 (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in mean peak heart rate (190 ± 11 vs. 191 ± 12 bpm), peak ventilation (58.6 ± 11.0 vs. 59.1 ± 13.9 L × min-1), and RER (1.02 ± .07 vs. 1.02 ± .05) on the two trials. The coefficient of variation of peak V˙O2 was 5.4 %. These data suggest that rowing ergometry is an effective method of measuring aerobic fitness in preadolescent boys.

Key words:

Children, exercise testing, rowing, aerobic fitness.

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T. Rowland,M.D. 

Department of Pediatrics Baystate Medical Center

Springfield, MA 01199 USA

Phone: Phone:+ 1 (413) 794-7350

Fax: Fax:+ 1 (413) 794-3623

Email: E-mail:thomas.rowland@bhs.org