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The next BioRow Webinar on Rowing Biomechanics is scheduled on Friday the 22nd January 2021 at 11.00am BST (London, UK) |
Topic: Blade efficiency and rowers selection
Contents:
1. Overview of the oar mechanics and blade propulsive efficiency;
2. The latest findings on comparison of various blade types;
3. Discussion on blade efficiency;
4. Rowers selections methods;
5. Seat racing: pro and contra;
6. Discussion on rowers’ selection. |
15/01/2021 |
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Fine oar mechanics |
We continue the analysis of oar mechanics with two purposes here: 1) verify checksum of oar forces with the measured gate-pin forces; 2) relate oar forces with the propulsion of the rower-boat system. Fat2 has a higher propulsive blade force due to bigger blade area and shorter actual outboard, but this was not converted into an advantage in the rower-boat system propulsion. Contrarily, lower propulsive blade forces in Smoothies and Comps could be compensated by a higher blade velocity through the water due to a longer actual outboard, which creates an additional lift transferred as an axial oar force into the system propulsion. In addition, Smoothies and Comps may have lower drag force compared to Fat2 due to a smaller area, which also contributes to their higher system propulsion. |
02/01/2021 |
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Comparison of different blade types |
The new measurement method of the blade centre of pressure, developed earlier, was used for the comparison of various blade types made by Concept2: Smoothies, Fat2 and the new Comps. The Centre of Pressure on the blade was similar with Smooth and Comps at 11-12cm from the blade top, but was located further in with the Fat2 – at 17-18cm. This means Fat2 blade does not require shorter outboard and blade length as thought before. Though Fat2 blades appeared to be the most efficient, they were qualitatively the most uncomfortable to row. The new Comp blade type showed a slightly better performance compared to the traditional Smoothies and were quite comfortable to row. |
23/12/2020 |
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Front-line research on oar mechanics |
A new research project on the oar and the rowing system mechanics was started in October with a new measurement method, which allows us to define the real forces acting on the rowing system and hence the mechanics of power transfer and propulsion efficiency. The method has been successfully verified by means of hanging weights at various points on the oar handle and blade, then comparing the real position with the calculated one based on measured torques. Here are brief results of the first measurements with this new method in M1x at 30spm. |
11/11/2020 |
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The new 2nd edition of Biomechanics of Rowing |
The new 2nd edition of Biomechanics of Rowing has been published recently.
The book available from our BioRow store here. |
10/10/2020 |
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Prognostic Times |
Prognostic times (PTs, or Gold Standards) are widely used in rowing communities for various purposes. All published NRF’s prognostic times are anonymous and methods of their development were not disclosed, so it is likely that they are subjective, which creates the following problems: it is not possible to discuss PTs to make them more accurate and eliminate discrepancies between them, which may lead to errors in crews selection. Here is a description of two methods to derive PTs and make them available for others to produce their own objective PTs (say, for juniors, U23 and other rower’s categories), as well as our BioRow PTs-2024 for elite rowers. |
30/09/2020 |
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Trends of Rowing Speed |
The general trend of rowing speed became negative in 2007 (corresponding decade 2002-2012), and remains negative but stable, without further decrease. All trends confirm the this finding: rowing speed achieved its peak in 2006-2008, and then results continuously decreased. |
07/09/2020 |
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Total Rowing Gearing |
Gearing ratio is a popular, but contentious topic in the rowing community. So, what is the mechanically correct definition of rowing gearing? The standard gearing definition is based on the ratio of displacements or velocities, not forces, because forces depend on other factors such as friction and inertia of parts in the mechanism. Dynamic gearing has a similar or even higher effect than the static oar gearing: every 1° increase of the catch angle increases the gearing ratio as much as a 1 cm longer outboard, or 0.5cm shorter inboard. Compared to cycling, rowing gearing during the drive is similar to riding a bike on quite a low gear. |
22/07/2020 |
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The current BioRow Webinar |
The 3rd Webinar on Rowing Biomechanics is scheduled on Friday the 17th July at 11.00 am London, UK time.
Topic: Biomechanics of stroke cycle and technical drills. We are looking forward to see you for the Webinar.
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10/07/2020 |
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Rowing power and kinetic energy |
Here we continue the analysis of rowing power and its conversion into kinetic energy of the rower-boat system. The kinetic energy of systems depends on the choice of reference frame: the reference frame that gives the minimum value of that energy is the centre of the momentum frame. The more elastic collision happens between rower’s and boat masses at catch, the more internal kinetic energy is preserved, so it can be recycled during the drive phase and rowing efficiency increases. This means an effective catch should look like “a bouncing ball”. |
03/07/2020 |
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