Anthropometric profile and body composition of elite male rowers: a descriptive study

Lentera Negeri October 30, 2026 Volume 7, Number 1 3 authors

Abstract

Anthropometric characteristics, including height, body mass, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage, provide relevant information about rowers’ body dimensions and composition, which may be associated with the biomechanical and physiological demands of rowing. This study sought to characterize the anthropometric characteristics of elite Indonesian male rowers in 2023. A descriptive quantitative design was used, with total sampling of all 14 athletes in the accessible 2023 squad. Height was assessed using a stadiometer (microtoise), while body mass was determined with a digital scale accurate to 0.1 kg. Skinfold thickness was measured using skinfold calipers. Body mass index (BMI) was computed by dividing body mass in kilograms by the square of height in meters (m²). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the measured variables; no inferential statistical tests or performance-prediction analyses were conducted. The mean height was 183.3 cm, mean body mass was 80.69 kg, and mean BMI was 23.99 kg/m². Based on BMI classification, 79% (11 athletes) were in the normal category and 21% (3 athletes) were classified as overweight. All athletes had estimated body fat percentages above the 14% reference threshold cited in the study; however, the suitability of this threshold and the skinfold-based estimation procedure for this population was not independently validated. Measurement reliability coefficients and technical error of measurement were not available for reporting. These findings provide a descriptive profile of the athletes included in the study but should not be generalized to all Indonesian elite male rowers or interpreted as evidence of rowing performance. Further research should validate body composition assessment procedures and examine anthropometric variables alongside direct performance measures.

Authors

  1. Muhamad Tafaqur

    Study Program of Sport Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Education and Health, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

  2. Dede Rohmat Nurjaya

    Study Program of Sport Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport and Health Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

  3. Geraldi Novian

    Study Program of Sport Physical Coaching, Faculty of Sport and Health Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Keywords

AnthropometryBody mass indexBody fat percentageIndonesian men's rowing eliteAthletes

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