Strategy for determining physical key performance indicators (KPIs) in rowing to optimize athlete performance

Rowing is a sport that demands high physical abilities, especially aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and optimal body composition to produce maximum performance. Determining the right physical indicators as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is crucial to support the evaluation process and development of athlete training programs. However, information regarding the relationship between physical indicators and body composition with rowing performance in young athletes is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationship between several physical indicators and body composition with rowing performance to determine key performance indicators that can be used to improve rowing athlete performance. This study used a quantitative research design with a cross-sectional study approach. The study subjects consisted of rowing athletes who underwent a series of measurements including anthropometric characteristics, aerobic capacity (VOâ‚‚max), muscle strength, muscle explosiveness, flexibility, fat mass, muscle mass, and rowing performance as measured by the time taken in a rowing test. The data obtained were analyzed using a correlation test to determine the relationship between physical indicators and body composition variables with rowing performance. The results showed that VOâ‚‚max, muscle strength, muscle explosiveness, flexibility, and muscle mass had a significant negative correlation with rowing performance time, indicating that improvements in these variables are associated with improved athlete performance. Conversely, fat mass showed a significant positive correlation with rowing time, indicating that increased fat mass can decrease athlete performance. Overall, these physical and body composition indicators can be used as a basis for determining KPIs to optimize rowing athlete performance through a more targeted training program.