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Folk, AL, Garcia, CA, Whitney, SH, and Kovacs, SJ. Relationship between strength and conditioning assessments and rowing performance in female collegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1618–1621, 2022—The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between strength and conditioning variables and rowing performance, as measured by a 2000 m ergometer time, in female collegiate rowers. Twenty-four female collegiate rowers qualified for this study by completing both types of assessments and a demographic questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the association between the total 2000 m ergometer time and each strength and conditioning assessment. The assessments included a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) squat and a 1RM hang clean. After this, all significant correlations were placed in a stepwise linear regression analysis to predict the total 2000 m ergometer time. The 1RM squat and 1RM hang clean correlated with 2000 m ergometer performance (p = 0.034 and p = 0.002, respectively). Only the 1RM squat emerged as a predictor of 2000 m ergometer performance. This study highlights that the 1RM squat may be a way to predict rowing performance and build successful female collegiate rowing teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families in rural areas have fewer physical activity (PA) opportunities in the built environment compared to their urban counterparts. Parks are spaces that can facilitate PA without membership or cost barriers. Yet not all parks are created equally, and PA opportunities vary. This may be particularly true in rural communities. There is a dearth of information regarding parks and their attributes in rural spaces and how they may influence PA. PURPOSE: To quantify the number and type of city park PA attributes to assess PA opportunities available in a rural area of Minnesota and examine associations between PA participation and park attributes. METHODS: City parks (n=49) located in multiple rural communities were analyzed. Parks were chosen based on residences of 105 child (age=8.99±1.06 yrs) and parent (age=37.92±5.36 yrs) dyads who participated in the NU-HOME study, a childhood obesity prevention, randomized controlled trial in rural communities. A secondary qualitative assessment of PA opportunities within park boundaries was performed using Google Earth Pro with verification from community websites. Park PA attributes were categorized as conducive to team sport, individual sport, walking, or play activities. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations between park PA attributes and subjectively measured parent moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and, separately, objectively measured child MVPA (adjusted for demographic characteristics). RESULTS: Total PA attributes in city parks per each community ranged between 3 and 47, and number of parks per community ranged between 1 and 21. Team sports (e.g., baseball diamond, basketball courts) were the most common PA attributes in parks, followed by play attributes (e.g., playground, splash pads), individual sports (e.g., rinks, frisbee golf), and walking (e.g., tracks, trails). There were no statistically significant associations between number of park PA attributes and parent MVPA (p=0.50) or child MVPA (p=0.83). CONCLUSIONS: The types of PA opportunities available in rural parks should be considered for both PA interventions and health promotion initiatives. Further exploration of the built environment and park access across communities of varying levels of rurality is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]