Multivariate allometric scaling of men's world indoor rowing championship performance

The World Indoor Rowing Championship (WIRC) is based on the time (T) to row a simulated 2500 m on a rowing ergometer. In the WIRC there are separate age categories but only two weight classes: light and heavy weight, thus penalizing those just heavier and those significantly lighter than the cut-off weight. Multivariate allometric scaling (MAS) provides an expression of performance free of the confounding effect of more than one scaling variable. We used MAS to scale T by height (ii) and age (A) to create a new index of rowing performance, T . H--a. A(-b). Subjects were 148 male competitors from the 1995 WIRC. MAS indicated that T . H . A(-0.06) expresses T free of the confounding effect of H and A. We also scaled T only by H on those subjects, A < 40, (N = 109). Results showed that T H is an optimal and particularly feasible scaling of T. Use of either convention dramatically changed race results. In conclusion, we recommend use of either the T . H (17 less than or equal to A less than or equal to 39) or T . H . A(-0.06) conventions to adjust WIRC performance in adult males.