Association Between Measures of Maximal and Rapid Force Production With Rowing Ergometer Performance in Adolescent Male Rowers

Abstract House, S, Wolf, A, Turner, A, and Bishop, C. Association between measures of maximal and rapid force production with rowing ergometer performance in adolescent male rowers. J Strength Cond Res 39(11): e1337–e1344, 2025—The aim of this study was to better understand the associations between maximal and rapid force production measures, and rowing ergometer performance in youth male rowers. Twenty-three junior male rowers (9 mid-late pubescent, 14 postpubescent, mean age: 14.89 ± 0.60 years) volunteered to participate. For maximal and rapid force production measures, assessments included (a) isometric mid-thigh pull, (b) isometric hip thrust, and (c) countermovement jump [CMJ]. Rowing performance was determined from a 6-stroke peak power test and 2-km time trial. Pearson's r correlation coefficients were used to analyze relationships between physical test measures and rowing performance, with statistical significance set at p 0.0036 once a Bonferroni correction had been applied. Results showed CMJ net impulse to have a very large relationship with all rowing ergometer performance measures (power output and time). In addition, multiple isometric force production measures also exhibited large to very large correlations with rowing ergometer performance. The findings of this study suggest practitioners should look to enhance both maximal and rapid force production measures when aiming to improve junior male rowing ergometer performance. However, caution should be taken when assessing and using some early force–time data from isometric test protocols, owing to elevated variability.