Comparison of Step-Wise and Ramp-Wise Incremental Rowing Exercise Tests and 2000-m Rowing Ergometer Performance

Purpose: This study examined parameters derived from both an incremental step-wise and a ramp-wise graded rowing exercise test in relation to rowing performance. Methods: Discontinuous step-wise incremental rowing to exhaustion established lactate threshold (LT), maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2maxSTEP ), and power associated with VO 2max (W VO 2max ). A further continuous ramp-wise test was undertaken to derive ventilatory threshold (VT), maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2maxRAMP ), and maximum minute power (MMW). Results were compared with maximal 2000-m ergometer time-trial power. Results: The strongest correlation with 2000-m power was observed for MMW ( r = .98, P < .001), followed by W VO 2max ( r = .96; P < .001). The difference between MMW and W VO 2max compared with the mean of MMW/W VO 2max showed a widening bias with a greater difference coincident with greater power. However, this bias was reduced when expressed as a ratio term and when a baseline VO 2 was accounted for. There were no differences ( P = .85) between measures of VO 2maxSTEP and VO 2maxRAMP ; rather, the measures showed strong association ( r = .97, P < .001, limits of agreement = −0.43 to 0.33 L/min). The power at LT and VT did not differ ( P = .6), and a significant association was observed ( r = .73, P = .001, limits of agreement = −54.3 to 20.2 W, SEE = 26.1). Conclusions: This study indicates that MMW demonstrates a strong association with ergometer rowing performance and thus may have potential as an influential monitoring tool for rowing athletes.