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Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(11): 840-845
DOI: 10.1055/a-0637-9613
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Prolonged Rowing on Fixed and Free-floating Ergometers in Competitive Rowers

Hugo A. Kerhervé
1   Univ Savoie Mont Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, EA 7424, F-73000 Chambéry, France
2   School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science Health Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
,
Benjamin Chatel
3   Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France
,
Sébastien Reboah
1   Univ Savoie Mont Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, EA 7424, F-73000 Chambéry, France
,
Jérémy Rossi
4   Univ Lyon, UJM Saint-Etienne, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, EA 7424, F-42023. Saint Etienne, France
,
Pierre Samozino
1   Univ Savoie Mont Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, EA 7424, F-73000 Chambéry, France
,
Laurent A Messonnier
1   Univ Savoie Mont Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, EA 7424, F-73000 Chambéry, France
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 29 May 2018

Publication Date:
21 August 2018 (online)

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Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effect of a 40-min submaximal rowing exercise performed on ergometers with fixed and free-floating designs. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, force and rate of force development (RFD) at the handle, stroke rate, duty factor, movement kinematics of upper and lower limbs, and muscle activity of lumbar spine muscles iliocostalis and erector spinae (IC and ESL) were measured at the beginning and at the end of a 40-min rowing exercise at ~60% of peak power output, in eleven competitive rowers. Force of lumbar extension decreased, and blood lactate increased following submaximal exercise on both ergometers. No changes in RFD, duty factor, and muscle activity of IC occurred in response to submaximal exercise. Rowing on DYN elicited higher heart rate and modified rowing kinematics (stroke rate, acceleration of the lower limbs) without changes in temporal or force application patterns compared to rowing on STAT at the same power output. Rowing on DYN was also associated with increased activity of the lumbar spine muscle ESL, which could originate from a greater range of motion, or from an increased lumbar spine muscle activity, at the same overall power.

Key words

injury prevention - muscle activity - range of motion - dynamic ergometer - exercise prescription - strength and conditioning
 

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