Author/Editor		Šarabon, Nejc; Kozinc, Žiga; Babič, Jan; Marković, Goran
Title		Effect of rowing ergometer compliance on biomechanical and physiological indicators during simulated 2,000-metre race
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 18, št. 2
Publication year		2019
Volume		str. 264-270
ISSN		1303-2968 - Journal of Sports Science and Medicine : free electronic journal
Language		eng
Abstract		OBJECTIVES: This study compared biomechanical characteristics and physiological responses during rowing on three devices: (i) stable ergometer (STE), (ii) transversally compliant ergometer (TCE) and (iii) frontally compliant ergometer (FCE). METHODS: Eleven young competitive rowers completed a 2000 meter simulated race under each of the ergometer conditions in a randomized order. Stroke rate, average force, power output, velocity and amplitude of the handle and stretcher or seat, heart rate and blood lactate were measured at 500 m intervals. RESULTS: Force and power at the stretcher were significantly lower (p < .03) for TCE, while stroke rate and velocities of the handle and the seat were higher (p < .01). No significant differences were observed between STE and FCE in biomechanical parameters. The lowest rowing performance was observed in FCE (p = .007), and was accompanied with the highest average heart rate (p = .031). DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that in TCE, rowers modified their technique, but were able to maintain physiological strain and performance. In contrast, FCE had no effect on rowing biomechanics, but decreased rowing performance and increased physiological strain. It seems plausible that transversal, but not frontal compliance, elicited a biomechanical technique that might reduce the discrepancy between a rowing ergometer and on-water rowing.
Keywords		rowing biomechanics stability power velocity technique