Relationship of Anthropometrics and Fitness Level Between Elite and University Male Rowers

Abstract

Successful competitive performance is particularly associated with four main characteristics which are skills, anthropometrics characteristics, appropriate psychological attitude, and physical fitness of individual athletes. Prior to that, selection of athletes for a particular sport should focus on those traits and abilities which have the most significant impact on sport performance. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between anthropometrics and fitness level among rowers. It consisted of one hypothesis as there was no statistical significant relationship on anthropometrics and fitness level among elite and university male rowers. Thirty male rowers (elite = 15, university = 15), aged 20–30 years, participated in this study. The design of this study was an ex post facto design. The method involved quantitative assessment of anthropometrics (height, weight, body fat percentage, body length, breadth, and girth) and fitness level tests (flexibility, power, relative strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic fitness). The findings showed significant positive relationship between nine of the anthropometrics measurements, which were height (r = 0.76), sitting height (r = 0.65), arm span (r = 0.64), arm length (r = 0.73), forearm length (r = 0.54), thigh length (r = 0.74), leg length (r = 0.63), shoulder breadth (r = 0.43), and calf girth (r = 0.55) with all fitness level variables among the elite and university rowers in this study. It can be concluded that anthropometrics and fitness level have a strong relationship toward rowers’ performance.