Abstract des Autors

Rowing performance feedback should be available as soon after the event as possible and should include kinetic information that relates as closely as possible to the performance criteria for rowing, namely, the time for 2,000m or, indirectly, the mean velocity of the boat. Relevant kinetic information may be provided by the rowing biomechanical analysis system (ROWSYS) described in this paper. The ROWSYS on-water system measured the torque and angle of two oars and the velocity of the boat. The linearity of the force, torque and angle transducers was better than 1% and the measured velocity of the boat has a correlation of .97 with video-derived data with a phase lag of only 0.05sec. Kinetic feedback of ROWSYS output comprised an instantaneous display via telemetry, of force-angle profiles and boat velocity on a laptop computer in the coach's boat, as hard copy provided post-performance, and as superimposed images on a video of the rower's performance. The ROWSYS on-shore system measured the force exerted on the handle of a rowing ergometer and the angle of the ergometer handle. Both were measured with a linearity of 0.5% or better. Feedback of the force-angle profile or the instantaneous power ouptut were graphed instantaneously on a computer screen. The ROWSYS software calculated skill-related variables such as wasted catch angle, wasted finish angle, effectiveness, stroke-to-stroke consistency and stroke smoothness and work capacity variables including stroke rate, stroke length, power output and rate of force development. Sample system data illustrates these variables. Verf.-Referat