Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/a-1990-9787
Mechanics and Energetic Analysis of Rowing with Big Blades with Randall Foils
Funding Information Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.(2021.04976.BD individual grant)
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.
Publication History
Received: 28 July 2022
Accepted: 30 November 2022
Accepted Manuscript online:
30 November 2022
Article published online:
06 October 2023
© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart,
Germany
-
References
- 1 Sousa A, Figueiredo P, Zamparo P. et al. Exercise Modality Effect on Bioenergetical Performance at VO2max Intensity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015; 47: 1705-1713
- 2 Caplan N, Coppel A, Gardner T. A review of propulsive mechanisms in rowing. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part P J Sports Eng Tech 2010; 224: 1-8
- 3 Treff G, Winkert K, Steinacker J. Olympic Rowing – Maximum Capacity over 2000 Meters. Ger J Sports Med 2021; 72: 203-211
- 4 Sumner D, Sprigings E, Bugg J. et al. Fluid forces on kayak paddle blades of different design. Sports Eng 2003; 6: 11-19
- 5 Hofmijster M, De Koning J, Van Soest AJ. Estimation of the energy loss at the blades in rowing: common assumptions revisited. J Sports Sci 2010; 28: 1093-1102
- 6 Caplan N, Gardner TN. Optimization of oar blade design for improved performance in rowing. J Sports Sci 2007; 25: 1471-1478
- 7 Caplan N, Gardner T. A fluid dynamic investigation of the Big Blade and Macon oar blade designs in rowing propulsion. J Sports Sci 2007; 25: 643-650
- 8 Morouço P, Keskinen KL, Vilas-Boas JP. et al. Relationship between tethered forces and the four swimming techniques performance. J Appl Biomech 2011; 27: 161-169
- 9 Lima M, Ribeiro L, Papoti M. et al. A Semi-Tethered Test for Power Assessment in Running. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 529-534
- 10 Loturco I, Barbosa A, Nocentini R. et al. A Correlational Analysis of Tethered Swimming, Swim Sprint Performance and Dry-land Power Assessments. Int J Sports Med 2016; 37: 211-218
- 11 Akça F. Prediction of Rowing Ergometer Performance from Functional Anaerobic Power, Strength and Anthropometric Components. J Hum Kinet 2014; 41: 133-142
- 12 Riechman SE, Zoeller RF, Balasekaran G. et al. Prediction of 2000 m indoor rowing performance using a 30 s sprint and maximal oxygen uptake. J Sports Sci 2002; 20: 681-687
- 13 Serresse O, Lortie G, Bouchard C. et al. Estimation of the contribution of the various energy systems during maximal work of short duration. Int J Sports Med 1988; 9: 456-460
- 14 Gastin PB, Lawson DL. Variable resistance all-out test to generate accumulated oxygen deficit and predict anaerobic capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1994; 69: 331-336
- 15 Harriss DJ, MacSween A, Atkinson G. Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research: 2020 Update. Int J Sports Med 2019; 40: 813-817
- 16 Dal Bello F, Brito C, Miarka B. et al. Biomechanics of rowing: kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic aspects. J Phys Educ Sport 2018; 193-202
- 17 Stegmann H, Kindermann W. Comparison of prolonged exercise tests at the individual anaerobic threshold and the fixed anaerobic threshold of 4 mmol.l(-1) lactate. Int J Sports Med 1982; 3: 105-110
- 18 Carvalho DD, Soares S, Zacca R. et al. Anaerobic threshold biophysical characterisation of the four swimming techniques. Int J Sports Med 2020; 41: 318-327
- 19 Borg GA. Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14: 377-381
- 20 Medbo JI, Tabata I. Relative importance of aerobic and anaerobic energy release during short-lasting exhausting bicycle exercise. J Appl Physiol 1989; 67: 1881-1886
- 21 Tabata I, Irisawa K, Kouzaki M. et al. Metabolic profile of high intensity intermittent exercises. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1997; 29: 390-395
- 22 Di Prampero PE. The energy cost of human locomotion on land and Water. Int J Sports Med 1986; 7: 55-72
- 23 Zamparo P, Cortesi M, Gatta G. The energy cost of swimming and its determinants. Eur J Appl Physiol 2020; 120: 41-66
- 24 Zacca R, Azevedo R, Chainok P. et al. Monitoring Age-Group Swimmers Over a Training Macrocycle: Energetics, Technique, and Anthropometrics. J Strength Cond Res 2020; 34: 818-827
- 25 Sousa AFP, Zamparo P, Pyne DB. et al. Exercise Modality Effect on Bioenergetical Performance at VO2max Intensity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015; 47: 1705-1713
- 26 Zamparo P, Capelli C, Pendergast D. Energetics of swimming: A historical perspective. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 111: 367-378
- 27 Ratamess NA, Rosenberg JG, Klei S. et al. Comparison of the acute metabolic responses to traditional resistance, body-weight, and battling rope exercises. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 47-57
- 28 Reis VM, Vianna JM, Barbosa TM. et al. Are wearable heart rate measurements accurate to estimate aerobic energy cost during low-intensity resistance exercise?. PLoS One 2019; 14: e0221284
- 29 Faul F, Erdfelder E, Buchner A. et al. Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behav Res Methods 2009; 41: 1149-1160
- 30 Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM. et al. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 3-13
- 31 Cerasola D, Bellafiore M, Cataldo A. et al. Predicting the 2000-m rowing ergometer performance from anthropometric, maximal oxygen uptake and 60-s mean power variables in national level young rowers. J Hum Kinet 2020; 75: 77-83
- 32 Morouço P, Keskinen KL, Vilas-Boas JP. et al. Relationship between tethered forces and the four swimming techniques performance. J Appl Biomech 2011; 27: 161-169
- 33 Messias LH, Ferrari HG, Sousa FA. et al. All-out test in tethered canoe system can determine anaerobic parameters of elite kayakers. Int J Sports Med 2015; 36: 803-808
- 34 Borgonovo-Santos M, Zacca R, Fernandes R. et al. The impact of a single surfing paddling cycle on fatigue and energy cost. Sci Rep 2021; 11: 4566
- 35 Gomes BB, Ramos NV, Conceicao FA. et al. Paddling force profiles at different stroke rates in elite sprint kayaking. J Appl Biomech 2015; 31: 258-263
- 36 Millward A. A study of the forces exerted by an oarsman and the effect on boat speed. J Sports Sci 1987; 5: 93-103
- 37 Holt AC, Aughey RJ, Ball K. et al. Technical determinants of on-water rowing performance. Front Sports Act Living 2020; 2: 589013
- 38 Holt AC, Ball K, Siegel R. et al. Relationships between measures of boat acceleration and performance in rowing, with and without controlling for stroke rate and power output. PLoS One 2021; 16: e0249122
- 39 Gastin PB. Energy system interaction and relative contribution during maximal exercise. Sports Med 2001; 31: 725-741
- 40 Ribeiro J, Figueiredo P, Sousa A. et al. VO2 kinetics and metabolic contributions during full and upper body extreme swimming intensity. Eur J Appl Physiol 2015; 115: 1117-1124