The peak power output derived from a 3-min incremental test elicits peak oxygen consumption ( \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O2peak) and is the strongest predictor of 2000‑m rowing ergometer performance. However, it remains unclear whether this relationship holds for shorter-duration incremental tests. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the physiological parameters derived from incremental tests with stage durations of 1 and 3 min and to examine their relationship with 2000‑m rowing ergometer performance. Fourteen male rowers ( \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O2peak: 52.2 ± 7.5 mL·kg−1 · min−1) performed an incremental test on a rowing ergometer with either 3‑min (INC3) or 1‑min stages (INC1) as well as a 2000‑m time-trial test. Peak power output (PPEAK), peak oxygen uptake ( \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O2peak), peak heart rate (HRPEAK), peak respiratory frequency (RFPEAK), peak respiratory exchange ratio (RERPEAK), and peak blood lactate concentration (BLCPEAK) were measured during the incremental tests. A stepwise regression model was applied to predict the 2000‑m mean power by the best-fit model for INC3 (F = 22.55, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.869) and INC1 (F = 13.52, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.742). There were no differences in PPEAK, \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O2peak, and RFPEAK between the incremental tests (p > 0.05). However, INC3 elicited higher HRPEAK, RERPEAK, and BLCPEAK compared to INC1 (p < 0.05). The mean power output of the 2000‑m test (317 ± 40 W) was similar between the tests (p > 0.05) and correlated with the PPEAK of INC1 (308 ± 37 W; r = 0.88) and INC3 (311 ± 36 W; r = 0.87). In conclusion, both 1 and 3‑min incremental tests were effective for determining \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O2peak and predicting 2000‑m rowing ergometer performance. The 1‑min protocol, however, offers a time-efficient and less metabolically demanding alternative.
