title: Comparison of step-wise and ramp-wise incremental rowing exercise tests and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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 VO₂ 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.
authors.affiliation: English Inst. of Sport, Loughborough University, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ingham
authors.forename: Jamie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hardman
authors.forename: Barry W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Fudge
authors.forename: Victoria L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Richmond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D016552:Ergometry; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates