Different sports require different physical and physiological attributes. You only have to look at the differences in body shape between Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, for example, to understand that sprinting and distance running are very physiologically different kettles of fish.
Rowing occupies an interesting niche on the event demands continuum. The well-timed application of force and speed of movement required to overcome hydrodynamic drag give it ‘strength-power’ characteristics. Race length and duration requires a dominant endurance component that relies on the underpinning ability to produce sustained output aerobically, due to the body’s limited ability to produce large amounts of energy using anaerobic pathways.