Can the 20 and 60 s All-Out Test Predict the 2000 m Indoor Rowing Performance in Athletes?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to look for a new, simple, and fast method of assessing and monitoring indoor race performance and to assess the relationship between 20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m indoor rowing performances of youth rowers to evaluate their anaerobic profile. Methods: For three consecutive days, 17 young able-bodied male rowers (15.8 ± 2.0 years), performed three tests (20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m) on a rowing ergometer. Mean power (W₂₀, W₆₀, and W₂₀₀₀) and 2000 m time (t₂₀₀₀) were considered for the analysis. In addition, 14 athletes (15-18 years) performed a 20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m tests and used this as a control group. To define the anaerobic profile of the athletes, W₂₀ and W₆₀ were normalized as percentages of W₂₀₀₀. Associations between variables were determined by means of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: Mean power decreased with increasing test duration (W₂₀ = 525.1 ± 113.7 W; W₆₀ = 476.1 ± 91.0 W; W₂₀₀₀₌312.9 ± 56.0 W) and negative correlations emerged between t₂₀₀₀ (418.5 ± 23.1 s) and W₂₀ (r = -0.952, p < 0.0001) and W₆₀ (r = -0.930, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that W₂₀ and W₆₀ are significant predictors of 2000 m rowing ergometer performances. Furthermore, normalized W₂₀ and W₆₀ can be used to evaluate athletes and as a reference for planning anaerobic training sessions, on a rowing ergometer.