title: Joint excursion, handle velocity, and applied force: a biomechanical analysis of ergonometric rowing.
abstract: Rowers may sacrifice on-water technique during ergonometric training in an attempt to increase stroke output. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify characteristics of ergonometric rowing technique that could be potentially detrimental to an effective and safe on-water performance. Joint excursion, handle velocity, and applied force were measured in 44 athletes while they performed a 2500 meter race on an instrumented ergometer. Results on four subjects are presented here. Their performance is compared to that of a Barcelona Olympic and World champion rower with 12 years of experience to illustrate how athletes deviate from standard on-water technique. Kinematic data showed knee joint oscillations and out-of-phase hip and knee joint reversals. Horizontal handle velocity curves indicated that higher stroke rates were achieved by a decrease in recovery time. Vertical handle velocity curves exhibited bi-directional variations. The largest amplitude occurred at the end of the drive phase during an upward displacement of the handle that was associated with a jerk in the applied force. Force-time curves at different stroke rates showed greater variability in the initial portion of the drive phase. Perpetuation of these technique deviations may be detrimental to on-water performance. Biomechanical analyses may allow coaches to better monitor technique during ergonometric training.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ricardo@physocc.lan.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torres-Moreno
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Penney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D013177:Sports; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis