Comparison of Anthropometric and Physiological Profiles of Hungarian Female Rowers across Age Categories, Rankings, and Stages of Sports Career

Abstract

There is very little research on the anthropometric and physiological profiles of lower-ranked young female athletes, even though, in most rowing clubs, such rowers constitute the vast majority. Therefore, this study investigated the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young Hungarian female rowers of different age categories and sports rankings (international vs. club). Anthropometric and physiological profiles were created for 36 junior (15–16 years), 26 older-junior (17–18 years), and 8 senior (19–21 years) female rowers who were club and international ranked members of seven of the largest Hungarian rowing clubs. Rowers >17-years-old with international rankings significantly outperformed their age-group peers with club rankings in terms of power, absolute VO2 max, and time to cover 2000 m, among other differences, but such differences were not observed with junior rowers. In all age groups, the length of the athletes’ sports career was not significantly associated with differences in anthropometric and physiological characteristics. This study suggests that ranking is not associated with differences in the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of juniors. Thus, with non-elite juniors, it can be more difficult to predict competition outcomes based on differences in anthropometric and physiological profiles.