This stretcher force sensor consists of two plates and load cells in between them. The shape of the plates could vary to fit them to any rowing machine or a boat. The standard plates are made from aluminium to fit a stretcher of Concept2 or RP3 rowing machine (please specify at ordering). On a customer order they can be made lighter from carbon for a boat, and in specific shape to fit your rowing device.

An ergometer version of this sensor contains four load cells: by two for each foot to measure toes and heels force components, which gives four data channels. A boat version usually has common plates for both feet with two sensors for toes (left-right) and one – for heels.

The load cells can be positioned to measure force in any direction, but usually they used to measure the horizontal force component, because it is directly related to movements of rower-boat system and power production on a rowing machine.

Also, two dimensional 2D version of the load cells is available, which can measure both horizontal and vertical components of the stretcher force.

Here you can find the data and results of the studies using this sensor:

• New system for erg biomechanics (RBN 2017/05);
• New BioRow developments (RBN 2017/10);
• Effect of stretcher height on rowing technique (RBN 2020/03).

Specifications for the standard 1D version for RP3 erg