Mechanics and Energetic Analysis of Rowing with Big Blades with
                    Randall Foils

Ricardo Cardoso; Manoel Rios; Diogo Carvalho; Ana Sofia Monteiro; Susana Soares; J. Arturo Abraldes; Beatriz B. Gomes; João Paulo Vilas-Boas; Ricardo J. Fernandes

doi:10.1055/a-1990-9787

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(14): 1043-1048
DOI: 10.1055/a-1990-9787

Training & Testing

Mechanics and Energetic Analysis of Rowing with Big Blades with Randall Foils

Authors

Ricardo Cardoso

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Manoel Rios

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Diogo Carvalho

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Ana Sofia Monteiro

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Susana Soares

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
J. Arturo Abraldes

³Faculty of Sports Sciences, Movement Sciences and Sport, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
Beatriz B. Gomes

⁴Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Portugal
João Paulo Vilas-Boas

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Ricardo J. Fernandes

¹Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

²Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Abstract

Empirical observations support that the addition of a plastic strip – also known as Randall foils – on the top edge of a rowing blade improves rowing efficiency during the cycle propulsive phase. The aim of the current study was to analyze the effect of using big blades with and without Randall foils on rowing performance. Twenty experienced rowers performed two 90 s tethered rowing bouts (with and without Randall foils) to assess their impact on force production and physiologic variables. All tests were randomized and a repeated measure design was used to compare experimental conditions. Higher values of peak and mean peak forces (479.4±134.7 vs. 423.2±153.0, d=0.83 and 376.5±101.4 vs. 337.1±113.3 N, d=0.68), peak oxygen uptake (47.9±7.5 vs. 45.3±7.3 mL∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹, d=0.19), peak blood lactate concentration (7.9±1.6 vs. 6.9±1.7 mmol∙L⁻¹, d=0.16), blood lactate increasing speed (0.08±0.01 vs. 0.07±0.06 [(mmol·L⁻¹)·s⁻¹], d=0.27) and lactic anaerobic energy (27.4±7.9 vs. 23.4±8.1 kJ, d=0.23) were found for big blades with vs. without Randall foils, p<0.05. The current data suggest that the Randall foils can positively affect rowing performance.

Key words

rowing - blade - foils - performance - force - metabolism

Full Text

References

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