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Discussion on Power in Rowing |
Recently, there have been discussions relating to power in rowing. A response to my Newsletter from 2018/09 can be found here:
http://www.rowingscience.nl/optimizing-propulsion/power-in-rowing-response-to-the-kleshnevs-october-2018-newsletter/
Please see the discussion so far in it's entirety - (text in black after < mark is the citation from the response of our respected opponents, text in blue after VK: mark – is my text).
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25/11/2018 |
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An analysis of the results of the 2018 World Rowing Championships |
In this newsletter we will analyse the trends and interesting characteristics of the successful crews at this year's World Championships in Plovdiv. |
15/11/2018 |
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Handle Force Measurements with the BioRowTech erg system |
You can now measure handle force on the ergometer with the BioRowTech system. |
07/11/2018 |
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Rowing Power |
Several scientific articles about rowing power were recently published, which placed doubts upon the standard definitions of this important indicator of performance. The power created between the pin and the oar handle can be called the “Net power”, which is transferred through the oar shaft to the spoon, so this is the only source of energy which moves the rower-boat system forward. Net power transferred from a rower to the external environment is the most important indicator for the evaluation of a rower’s performance. It is measured correctly and reliably with BioRowTel and NK EmPower systems. |
05/10/2018 |
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Practical implications of the blade analysis |
Here we give some practical conclusions based on the results of blade work analysis made in the previous Newsletters:
The blade must be submersed into the water and force increased quickly after the catch.
More even distribution of a rower’s effort during the drive (i.e. more rectangular force curve) helps to increase the blade efficiency.
These features could provide 4.7% difference in the blade efficiency, which equates to 7s faster time in 2000m race. |
14/09/2018 |
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Interpretation of the Blade Work variables |
The beginning and end of the drive are more efficient zones for blade propulsion, and most of the blade slippage energy is wasted in the middle of the drive.
Blade Drag Factor is the measure of ABSOLUTE resistance of the blade in the water, which slightly decreases (blade slippage increases) at higher stroke rates and boat speeds, because the blade slips more at higher force and power.
Blade Efficiency is the measure of propulsive power as a RELATIVE share in the total power, Efficiency increases at higher rates and speeds. because the total power increases more dramatically than the blade slippage.
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23/08/2018 |
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Advanced Analysis of Blade Work |
Advanced analysis of the blade work allowed reasonable explanation of the blade efficiency calculations, where its values above 100% at catch and finish mean rear movement of the blade centre above water level, without contribution to propulsive force. |
31/07/2018 |
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Blade Drag Factor |
During the drive phase, the blade slips through the water creating a resistive drag force, which is in fact the propulsive force moving the whole rower-boat system forward. The blade drag Factor DF was found about 120 times higher than boat DF, and this is is the only reason why the rower-boat system is able to move through the water. |
10/06/2018 |
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Interpretation of the blade work profile |
After force curve, the blade work profile is another important area of evaluation of rowing skill. A quick blade entry must coincide with rapid horizontal oar acceleration. This is one of the most difficult skills to learn in rowing, a type of “rowing art”. Visually, good blade work at the catch looks like V-shaped combination of front and back splashes at high rates, or no splashes at all at low rates. |
25/05/2018 |
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Interpretation of the force curve |
We always try to make the BioRow reports provided after testing simpler and easier to understand, so in order to achieve this we developed an ‘evaluation’ template. The force curve is traditionally considered as one of the most important indicators of rowing technique. |
10/05/2018 |
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