College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (M.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Committee Chair

Bridget Melton

Committee Member 1

Emily Langford

Committee Member 2

Barry Joyner

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aerobic capacity is essential for the performance of military personnel and first responders. Traditionally, graded exercise tests (GXTs) with metabolic gas analysis have been the criterion-referenced method for assessing aerobic fitness. However, treadmill running and cycle ergometers may not fully reflect the whole-body demands required in tactical environments. Rowing-based assessments and the currently commercially available VO2max prediction formula are widely used across tactical organizations as practical field measures, and most tactical operators are considered inexperienced rowers, which has been minimally examined. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare measured VO2peak from a rowing GXT with estimated VO2max derived from a 2000-meter row time using the Concept2 VO2max prediction formula in a convenience sample of Army ROTC cadets and cadres. METHODS: (n=40) Participants completed two testing sessions. In the first session, participants performed a maximal effort rowing GXT as part of a larger fitness assessment. In the second session, they completed a maximal effort 2000-meter row for time. The 2000-meter performance times were entered into the currently commercially available VO2max prediction equation and compared with directly measured VO2peak values from the rowing GXT using paired-samples t-tests. If significant differences were observed, regression analyses were conducted with 30 participants who met max criteria in both sessions, using easily obtainable performance and anthropometric variables (2km row time, sex, BMI) to explore the development of an improved prediction equation. RESULTS: A significant difference between the currently commercially available regression equation and measured VO2peak values was discovered (two-sided p< .001 ). 2km row time and measured VO2peak demonstrate a strong negative correlation (r = -0.598, p< .001). A new regression model is proposed [Estimated VO2max = 131.536- (0.083 * 2km Row Time in Seconds) - (7.921 * Sex [male=0, female=1]) - (1.466 * BMI)] that is not significantly different from measured VO2peak (two-sided p = .968) and explains 78.2% of the variance. While a 2km rowing performance is comparable to measured VO2peak, further independent validation is needed for the implementation of VO2max estimation via 2km row time in tactical construct-oriented physical fitness testing.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

Yes

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