Abstract
Between one-fourth and one-third of the energy in rowing is lost to the flow of water
around the blade which decreases efficiency, i.e., the ratio of effective energy to
expended energy. Hitherto the assessment of this hydrody-namic rowing efficiency was
difficult and could not be achieved as a function of rowing angle and time. By recording
the path of the blade and the forces acting on the blade a method was found, which
is practical to use and renders the hydrodynamic efficiency at each instant of the
rowing action. The assessment is based on the measurement of boat velocity, angular
velocity of the oar or scull, and moment exerted by the rower. These parameters are
measured, digitized, and stored in the boat for later computation on shore.
Key words
Rowing - hydrodynamic efficiency - biomechanical efficiency - energy loss - lift -
drag - path of blade
