Contribution of Lean Mass Distribution on Aerobic Fitness and Performance in NCAA Division I Female Rowers

Abstract

Haraldsdottir, K, Sanfilippo, J, Dawes, S, and Watson, A. Contribution of lean mass distribution on aerobic fitness and performance in NCAA division I female rowers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—The purpose of this study was to determine the relative influence of total lean body mass (LBM), body fat percentage (BF%), upper extremity lean mass (ULM), lower extremity lean mass (LLM), and trunk lean mass (TLM) on maximal aerobic capacity (V̇o₂max) and time to exhaustion (Tmax) in female collegiate rowers. One hundred seven female collegiate rowers (aged 18–22 years) performed maximal progressive rowing ergometer testing to determine V̇o₂max and Tmax. Body mass, LBM, BF%, ULM, LLM, and TLM were determined by using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Separate multivariable linear regression models were performed to predict V̇o₂max and Tmax by using LBM and BF% as predictors. In addition, separate linear regression models were used to predict V̇o₂max and Tmax with ULM, LLM, and TLM as covariates. Subjects were aged 20 ± 3 years. V̇o₂max was significantly predicted by LBM (r² = 0.29, p < 0.001), but not BF% (r² = 0.002, p = 0.79). Similarly, Tmax was significantly predicted by LBM (r² = 0.25, p < 0.001), but not BF% (r² = 0.003, p = 0.19). V̇o₂max was significantly predicted by LLM (r² = 0.12, p < 0.01), but not ULM (r² = 0.08, p = 0.68) or TLM (r² = 0.09, p = 0.17), and Tmax was significantly predicted by TLM (r² = 0.09, p = 0.02), but not ULM (r² = 0.07, p = 0.89) or LLM (r² = 0.08, p = 32). Among female collegiate rowers, whole body LBM is a significant predictor of both V̇o₂max and Tmax. However, LLM is a stronger predictor of V̇o₂max while TLM is a stronger predictor Tmax, although each of these relationships has a low coefficient of determination. These findings suggest that aerobic fitness and performance may be influenced by regions of lean mass differently.