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Rigging optimization for rowing efficiency |
With very "light" rigging, a sculler struggled to “connect” with water and apply power: strokes looked too light and unproductive. It was decided to make combined changes of both levers and stretcher position, which helped to maintain a comfortable finish position. The optimized rigging significantly improved ability to apply force and power: projected time over 2km was 12.5 and 18.7s faster after rigging changes. |
12/05/2022 |
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Practical implications of axial oar forces |
Recent BioRow research has found that the axial blade force plays a negative role in propulsion: it creates a braking force component in the opposite direction to the velocity of the rower-boat system. Therefore, the blade axial force must be minimised. The axial handle force is a static one and creates no energy losses. |
04/04/2022 |
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Determination of rowing power |
Rowing power is the most important indicator of performance in our sport, and new findings from our latest blades research may help to provide more accurate calculation of rowing power and feedback on it. The rower’s power production could be on average 3.6% higher that readings from systems with gate force measurements. This partly explains higher power values on-erg compare to on-water rowing, which has much more complex mechanics. |
08/03/2022 |
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Details of force transmission at the handle |
The effects of two factors: 1) stroke rate, 2) blade type on the force transmission at the handle is analysed here. At high stroke rates, it is important to apply a short upwards force to the handle after the catch for a quick blade entry, without increasing catch slip. Friction is the main and the most efficient way to pull the handle because direct force application to the centre of the handle would require significant muscular contraction and energy cost. The handle torque is balanced mainly at the gate, and possibly, at the blade to prevent over-squaring. |
03/02/2022 |
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Force transmission at the handle |
New data obtained using the recently developed BioRow 4D handle force sensor allows derivation of fine details of force transmission from rower to oar: pulling angles in horizontal and vertical planes, and torque applied at the handle. This newly data allows for better understanding of Rowing Biomechanics, fine analysis of individual rowing technique and rigging specifics (say, effect of span/spread, oar pitch, etc.). |
08/01/2022 |
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Effect of blade rotation in the water |
Blade rotation in the water during the drive consumes energy and reduces the propulsive force and power within the rower-boat system. Force losses from the blade to the gate-handle system are related to the depth of the blade in the water. For the first time, we were able to estimate experimentally the losses of force/power caused by the blade rotation in the water. |
06/12/2021 |
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The next BioRow Webinar on Friday the 26th November 2021 |
The next BioRow Webinar on Rowing Biomechanics is scheduled on Friday the 26th November 2021 at noon 12.00pm BST.
Topic: The newest progress in Rowing Biomechanics.
The Webinar will last for 1.5-2 hours, starting with a presentation on the topic below followed by discussion between Dr.Valery Kleshnev and Prof. Volker Nolte, then final questions from the audience and discussions.
We are looking forward to seeing you! |
17/11/2021 |
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Gearing and efficiency of blade types |
With further analysis of various blade types, it was found that • Shorter outboard in Fat2 makes oar gearing lighter, blade forces higher, but at the cost of lower blade velocity, so overall propulsive power and efficiency were lower. Comps have shown the highest efficiency of power transfer from the blade to the system, which could be explained by shorter length - less losses on blade rotation and lower axial forces. |
01/11/2021 |
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Propulsive power and blade efficiency |
The refined balance of propulsive forces allows accurate analysis of the power transfer from the blade to the movement of the rower-boat system, which is the key point of Rowing Biomechanics. This analysis has been applied to the data in M1x using three different blade types and shows that Comp would be 3.4s faster over 2km than Fat2, and 3.9s faster than Smooth blades. |
14/10/2021 |
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Refined balance of propulsive forces |
The determination of the fine balance of propulsive forces in the rower-boat-oar system is important for understanding the exact mechanics of force and power transmission from the blade hydrodynamic forces – to the movement of the system. The main achievement of this study was to obtain the refined balance of propulsive forces in the rower-boat-oar system, which confirms the validity of our models, accuracy of the measurements, and allows further extended studies and optimisation of rowing biomechanics. |
10/09/2021 |
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