Rowing Functional Endurance Test (RFET) — Preliminary Interpretation Bands
Purpose. These ranges provide a practical, hypothesis-generating framework to interpret 6-minute, self‑paced rowing performance in older adults.
They mirror the functional intent of the 6MWT/6MST. Validation is required in your population, with your device settings and coaching.
Standardization (recommended)
- Concept2 ergometer (PM5 preferred); damper 3–5 or drag factor ~90–120.
- Self-paced 6 minutes (RFET-6). Record distance, split, watts, W/kg, stroke rate (spm), RPE (0–10), dyspnea (0–10), peak HR, 1-min HR recovery (HRR1), and SpO2 nadir.
- Allow brief pauses; the clock continues (as in 6MWT). Use standard termination/safety rules.
Primary Metric: W/kg (size-normalized)
| Band |
W/kg |
Typical split (per 500 m) |
Approx. 6-min distance |
| Very low |
< 0.35 |
≥ 4:00 |
≤ 750 m |
| Low |
0.35–0.49 |
4:00–3:35 |
~ 750–835 m |
| Fair |
0.50–0.69 |
3:35–3:12 |
~ 835–935 m |
| Good |
0.70–0.99 |
3:12–2:50 |
~ 935–1,050 m |
| Very good |
≥ 1.00 |
≤ 2:50 |
≥ 1,050 m |
Notes: Distances assume steady pacing; short rests are permitted. Splits → Watts use Concept2’s relation
watts = 2.80 / (split/500)^3. Normalize to body size with W/kg = watts / mass(kg).
Secondary Metrics (suggested ranges)
- Stroke rate (spm): 20–26 spm is typical; >28 spm with low W/kg suggests short/inefficient strokes.
- RPE (0–10): aim 4–6 at finish; ≥8 indicates very high effort—consider RFET-3 next time or technique coaching.
- HR peak & 1-min HR recovery (HRR1): ≥12 bpm favorable; 6–11 borderline; <6 concerning (review meds/autonomics). Thresholds are borrowed from broader exercise literature and require RFET validation.
- SpO2: flag if <90% or a drop ≥4% from baseline; stop for severe/prolonged desaturation or concerning symptoms.
- BP/Safety: use standard exercise-test termination guidance (extreme BP response, chest pain, staggering, pallor, participant request to stop). Ensure supervised cool-down and symptom check.
Meaningful Change (provisional)
- Treat a ≥5–10% improvement in distance or W/kg at similar RPE/HR as likely real.
- At baseline, perform two tests 48–72 hours apart to learn within-person variability.
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- Standardize device (damper/drag), posture, and the 6-minute, self-paced format.
- Record distance, split, watts, W/kg, spm, RPE, dyspnea, peak HR, HRR1, and SpO2 nadir.
- Classify using the table above (W/kg primary), trend over time, and re-test after training/medication changes.