The Effects of Rowing Ergometer Design on Metabolic Parameters during an Incremental Maximal Test

It has been reported that ergometer design can elicit biomechanical alterations in terms of single stroke power, stroke frequency and stroke length, in rowing. However, detailed examination of the metabolic and physiological milieu in response to ergometer design changes is warranted. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of two different rowing ergometer setups during an incremental maximal test on metabolic parameters. The sample consisted of 12 national and international level male rowers. Two different versions of the Concept 2 model E ergometer were used, in a static setup without slides and in a dynamic setup with the slides. The following metabolic parameters were analyzed: power output, oxygen uptake, heart rate peak and at anaerobic threshold, minute ventilation, breathing frequency, and respiratory volume. No significant differences were found in any of the monitored parameters. This suggests that ergometer design does not affect metabolic parameters during an incremental test, highlighting that coaches and practitioners can likely employ any reasonable ergometer set-up, without hindering the performer.