Modelling the deflection of rowing oar shafts

The deflection of rowing oar shafts subjected to a static load was investigated. Two sets of sculling oars of different design stiffness were tested at three different lengths from 2.66 to 2.70 m. Loads up to 201 N were applied to the blade end of the oar shafts, and deflections were measured at six positions along the length of the shafts. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions obtained by modelling the oar shafts as homogenous end-loaded cantilever beams. The results show that the oar shafts are not uniform, in contradiction to the assumed model, but rather are most compliant near the sleeves and up to 80% stiffer towards the blades. The effect of oar shaft stiffness and length on the deflection angle at the blade end of the oar shaft was at most 1.18 ± 0.01°. The measured variation of stiffness along the shaft has implications for boat propulsion and rowing performance.     

我国优秀赛艇运动员桨力- 时间曲线特征

赛艇运动中拉桨阶段的桨力曲线反映了运动员的发力特征，是专项竞技能力诊断的重要途径。根据国家队的测试实例，对不同艇种、不同桨位的桨力曲线特征进行归纳分析总结，对赛艇项目进行系列测试（桨频：35桨/min），结合专项认为专项技术较好的多人艇运动员大多采用A型；双人单桨项目中．领桨手倾向于采用A型桨力-时间曲线，一号位桨手倾向于采用B型桨力-时间曲线。不同桨频下的桨力-时间曲线特征可作为训练效果的评估依据，低桨频训练必须保持合理的拉桨速度和拉桨力量。     

Optimization of oar blade design for improved performance in rowing

The aim of the present study was to find a more optimal blade design for rowing performance than the Big Blade, which has been shown to be less than optimal for propulsion. As well as the Big Blade, a flat Big Blade, a flat rectangular blade, and a rectangular blade with the same curvature and projected area as the Big Blade were tested in a water flume to determine their fluid dynamic characteristics at the full range of angles at which the oar blade might present itself to the water. Similarities were observed between the flat Big Blade and rectangular blades. However, the curved rectangular blade generated significantly more lift in the angle range 0-90 degrees than the curved Big Blade, although it was similar between 90 and 180 degrees. This difference was attributed to the shape of the upper and lower edges of the blade and their influence on the fluid flow around the blade. Although the influence of oar blade design on boat speed was not investigated here, the significant increases in fluid force coefficients for the curved rectangular blade suggest that this new oar blade design could elicit a practically significant improvement in rowing performance.     

Optimization of oar blade design for improved performance in rowing

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find a more optimal blade design for rowing performance than the Big Blade, which has been shown to be less than optimal for propulsion. As well as the Big Blade, a flat Big Blade, a flat rectangular blade, and a rectangular blade with the same curvature and projected area as the Big Blade were tested in a water flume to determine their fluid dynamic characteristics at the full range of angles at which the oar blade might present itself to the water. Similarities were observed between the flat Big Blade and rectangular blades. However, the curved rectangular blade generated significantly more lift in the angle range 0 – 90° than the curved Big Blade, although it was similar between 90 and 180°. This difference was attributed to the shape of the upper and lower edges of the blade and their influence on the fluid flow around the blade. Although the influence of oar blade design on boat speed was not investigated here, the significant increases in fluid force coefficients for the curved rectangular blade suggest that this new oar blade design could elicit a practically significant improvement in rowing performance.     

A mathematical model of the oar blade - water interaction in rowing

Our aim was to present a mathematical model of rowing and sculling that allowed for a comparison of oar blade designs. The relative movement between the oar blades and water during the drive phase of the stroke was modelled, and the lift and drag forces generated by this complex interaction were determined. The model was driven by the oar shaft angular velocity about the oarlock in the horizontal plane, and was shown to be valid against measured on-water mean steady-state shell velocity for both a heavyweight men's eight and a lightweight men's single scull. Measured lift and drag force coefficients previously presented by the authors were used as inputs to the model, whichs allowed for the influence of oar blade design on rowing performance to be determined. The commonly used Big Blade, which is curved, and it's flat equivalent were compared, and blade curvature was shown to generate a 1.14% improvement in mean boat velocity, or a 17.1-m lead over 1500 m. With races being won and lost by much smaller margins than this, blade curvature would appear to play a significant role in propulsion.     

A mathematical model of the oar blade – water interaction in rowing

Abstract

Our aim was to present a mathematical model of rowing and sculling that allowed for a comparison of oar blade designs. The relative movement between the oar blades and water during the drive phase of the stroke was modelled, and the lift and drag forces generated by this complex interaction were determined. The model was driven by the oar shaft angular velocity about the oarlock in the horizontal plane, and was shown to be valid against measured on-water mean steady-state shell velocity for both a heavyweight men's eight and a lightweight men's single scull. Measured lift and drag force coefficients previously presented by the authors were used as inputs to the model, whichs allowed for the influence of oar blade design on rowing performance to be determined. The commonly used Big Blade, which is curved, and it's flat equivalent were compared, and blade curvature was shown to generate a 1.14% improvement in mean boat velocity, or a 17.1-m lead over 1500 m. With races being won and lost by much smaller margins than this, blade curvature would appear to play a significant role in propulsion.     

Numerical modelling of rowing blade hydrodynamics

The highly unsteady flow around a rowing blade in motion is examined using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model which accounts for the interaction of the blade with the free surface of the water. The model is validated using previous experimental results for quarter-scale blades held stationary near the surface in a water flume. Steady-state drag and lift coefficients from the quarter-scale blade flume simulation are compared to those from a simulation of the more realistic case of a full-scale blade in open water. The model is then modified to accommodate blade motion by simulating the unsteady motion of the rowing shell moving through the water, and the sweep of the oar blade with respect to the shell. Qualitatively, the motion of the free surface around the blade during a stroke shows a realistic agreement with the actual deformation encountered during rowing. Drag and lift coefficients calculated for the blade during a stroke show that the transient hydrodynamic behaviour of the blade in motion differs substantially from the stationary case.     

A study of the forces exerted by an oarsman and the effect on boat speed

A model of the motion of a single‐scull rowing hull has been developed and verified against rowing performance data. The model was then used to explore the effect of changes in the cyclic rowing force on the boat speed. The calculations have shown that the shape of the rowing force curve and the proportion of recovery time in the total stroke can have an important effect on the boat speed. It has also been shown that a study of the fluid mechanics of the oar blade would be advantageous in determining whether a reduction in the power wasted can be obtained by changing the ratio of rowing force to normal force.     

A study of the forces exerted by an oarsman and the effect on boat speed

A model of the motion of a single-scull rowing hull has been developed and verified against rowing performance data. The model was then used to explore the effect of changes in the cyclic rowing force on the boat speed. The calculations have shown that the shape of the rowing force curve and the proportion of recovery time in the total stroke can have an important effect on the boat speed. It has also been shown that a study of the fluid mechanics of the oar blade would be advantageous in determining whether a reduction in the power wasted can be obtained by changing the ratio of rowing force to normal force.     

中国赛艇优秀男子轻量级运动员技术特征分析

通过研制的赛艇实船力量测试系统对我国优秀男子轻量级运动员技术特点进行了测试分析。结果表明该系统为科学地评定、改进和完善赛艇技术提供了强有力的工具。目前我国男子轻量级多人艇技术配合上的主要问题是身体移动、停止、再启动时机不一致，身体的整体重心回位不够及时，另外，桨叶入水时拉桨不够迅速、圆滑，腿部蹬力过大。经过测试分析以后，包括老运动员在内，技术动作得到明显的改进和完善。     

中国精英女子赛艇运动员划桨技术特点分析

目的：以国家队和赛艇优势省队运动员为测试对象，总结分析我国精英女子赛艇运动员的划桨技术特点。方法：27名运动员参与本研究，利用"BioRow Tel"系统测试五种桨频（20、24、28、32、36桨/分）下的划桨技术，测试参数包括划桨节奏、桨叶轨迹、桨力特征等。结果：拉桨时间百分比随桨频的提高显著提高；入水角、出水角和划幅在中低桨频下非常稳定，但在接近比赛桨频时显著下降；抓水打滑和出水打滑均随桨频的增加而显著增加；与桨力相关的参数对桨频的变化相对不敏感。结论：我国运动员较为注重桨叶入水和拉桨前段，表现出的技术较好，而在拉桨后段特别是桨叶出水阶段暴露出的问题比较大；临近比赛桨频时的技术同中低桨频时相比存在比较明显的下降。训练中要解决好拉桨后段和桨叶出水的问题，并注重提高运动员在比赛桨频时的划桨技术。     

Strapping rowers to their sliding seat improves performance during the start of ergometer rowing

Abstract

Rowers sit on a seat that slides relative to the boat/ergometer. If a rower lifts him or herself from this sliding seat at any time, the seat will move away from under them and the rowing action is disrupted. From a mechanical perspective, it is clear that the need for the rower to remain in contact with the sliding seat at all times imposes position-dependent constraints on the forces exerted at the oar handle and the footstretcher. Here we investigate if the mechanical power output during rowing, which is strongly related to these forces, might be improved if the contact with the sliding seat was of no concern to the rower. In particular, we examine if elimination of these constraints by strapping the rower to the sliding seat leads to an increase in performance during the start on a standard rowing ergometer. Eleven well-trained female rowers performed 5-stroke starts in normal and strapped conditions. Handle force, vertical seat force, footstretcher force, and handle kinematics were recorded, from which mechanical power and work output were calculated. Most of the relevant mechanical variables differed significantly between the normal and strapped conditions. Most importantly, mechanical power output (averaged over the 5-stroke start) in the strapped condition was 12% higher than in the normal condition. We conclude that strapping a rower's pelvis to the sliding seat allows more vigorous execution of the stroke phases, resulting in a substantial improvement in performance during the start of ergometer rowing.     

A fluid dynamic investigation of the Big Blade and Macon oar blade designs in rowing propulsion

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the fluid dynamic characteristics of the two most commonly used oar blades: the Big Blade and the Macon. Scaled models of each blade, as well as a flat Big Blade, were tested in a water flume using a quasi-static method similar to that used in swimming and kayaking research. Measurement of the normal and tangential blade forces enabled lift and drag forces generated by the oar blades to be calculated over the full range of sweep angles observed during a rowing stroke. Lift and drag force coefficients were then calculated and compared between blades. The results showed that the Big Blade and Macon oar blades exhibited very similar characteristics. Hydraulic blade efficiency was not therefore found to be the reason for claims that the Big Blade could elicit a 2% improvement in performance over the Macon. The Big Blade was also shown to have similar characteristics to the flat plate when the angle of attack was below 90°, despite significant increases in the lift coefficient when the angle of attack increased above 90°. This result suggests that the Big Blade design may not be completely optimized over the whole stroke.     

Mechanical power output in rowing should not be determined from oar forces and oar motion alone

Mechanical power output is a key performance-determining variable in many cyclic sports. In rowing, instantaneous power output is commonly determined as the dot product of handle force moment and oar angular velocity. The aim of this study was to show that this commonly used proxy is theoretically flawed and to provide an indication of the magnitude of the error. To obtain a consistent dataset, simulations were performed using a previously proposed forward dynamical model. Inputs were previously recorded rower kinematics and horizontal oar angle, at 20 and 32 strokes?min^?1. From simulation outputs, true power output and power output according to the common proxy were calculated. The error when using the common proxy was quantified as the difference between the average power output according to the proxy and the true average power output (P?_residual), and as the ratio of this difference to the true average power output (ratio_res./rower). At stroke rate 20, P?_residual was 27.4 W and ratio_res./rower was 0.143; at stroke rate 32, P?_residual was 44.3 W and ratio_res./rower was 0.142. Power output in rowing appears to be underestimated when calculated according to the common proxy. Simulations suggest this error to be at least 10% of the true power output.     

A fluid dynamic investigation of the Big Blade and Macon oar blade designs in rowing propulsion

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the fluid dynamic characteristics of the two most commonly used oar blades: the Big Blade and the Macon. Scaled models of each blade, as well as a flat Big Blade, were tested in a water flume using a quasi-static method similar to that used in swimming and kayaking research. Measurement of the normal and tangential blade forces enabled lift and drag forces generated by the oar blades to be calculated over the full range of sweep angles observed during a rowing stroke. Lift and drag force coefficients were then calculated and compared between blades. The results showed that the Big Blade and Macon oar blades exhibited very similar characteristics. Hydraulic blade efficiency was not therefore found to be the reason for claims that the Big Blade could elicit a 2% improvement in performance over the Macon. The Big Blade was also shown to have similar characteristics to the flat plate when the angle of attack was below 90 degrees , despite significant increases in the lift coefficient when the angle of attack increased above 90 degrees . This result suggests that the Big Blade design may not be completely optimized over the whole stroke.     

Effect of stroke rate on the distribution of net mechanical power in rowing

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of manipulating stroke rate on the distribution of mechanical power in rowing. Two causes of inefficient mechanical energy expenditure were identified in rowing. The ratio between power not lost at the blades and generated mechanical power (P(rower)) and the ratio between power not lost to velocity fluctuations and P(rower) were used to quantify efficiency (e(propelling) and e(velocity) respectively). Subsequently, the fraction of P(rower) that contributes to the average velocity (chi(boat)) was calculated (e(net)). For nine participants, stroke rate was manipulated between 20 and 36 strokes per minute to examine the effect on the power flow. The data were analysed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results indicated that at higher stroke rates, P(rower), chi(boat), e(propelling), and e(net) increase, whereas e(velocity) decreases (P < 0.0001). The decrease in e(velocity) can be explained by a larger impulse exchange between rower and boat. The increase in e(propelling) can be explained because the work at the blades decreases, which in turn can be explained by a change in blade kinematics. The increase in e(net) results because the increase in e(propelling) is higher than the decrease in e(velocity). Our results show that the power equation is an adequate conceptual model with which to analyse rowing performance.     

Improved determination of mechanical power output in rowing: Experimental results

In rowing, mechanical power output is a key parameter for biophysical analyses and performance monitoring and should therefore be measured accurately. It is common practice to estimate on-water power output as the time average of the dot product of the moment of the handle force relative to the oar pin and the oar angular velocity. In a theoretical analysis we have recently shown that this measure differs from the true power output by an amount that equals the mean of the rower’s mass multiplied by the rower’s center of mass acceleration and the velocity of the boat. In this study we investigated the difference between a rower’s power output calculated using the common proxy and the true power output under different rowing conditions. Nine rowers participated in an on-water experiment consisting of 7 trials in a single scull. Stroke rate, technique and forces applied to the oar were varied. On average, rowers’ power output was underestimated with 12.3% when determined using the common proxy. Variations between rowers and rowing conditions were small (SD = 1.1%) and mostly due to differences in stroke rate. To analyze and monitor rowing performance accurately, a correction of the determination of rowers’ on-water power output is therefore required.     

赛艇技术的生物力学研究

使用赛艇多参数遥测分析系统和IPL型高速摄影机同步测试方法,对我国国家赛艇集训队16名高水平运动员(男10,女6)的双桨技术进行了测试研究,分析结果如下:①在三种划桨类型中,“平缓力型”的动力学效率最高。“平缓力型”意味着拉桨力平稳增长达到峰值,然后对称下降直至拉桨结束。②艇速曲线有“单峰型”和“双峰型”两种类型。“单峰型”的特点是艇速变化平稳、能量消耗较少;“双峰型”能量消耗多。出现“双峰型”的主要原因是没有“边拉边按”和运动员身体在滑轨上加速不稳。③建立了浆力有效冲量与艇平均速度、艇速波动程度关系式。④发现一些选手左右手划桨力差别较大,桨叶入水角偏小和“拉提”时拉的不够等问题。     

赛艇多参数遥测分析系统的研制

研究目的是研制一套快速反馈系统,用于测试和分析赛艇技术的生物力学参数。本系统于1989年研制成功,它由无线电发射机、无线电接收机、传感器、同步器及其相应软件组成。系统有6个通道,用以同步测量:作用于桨环上的力,桨在水平面内的角位移,艇加速度,运动心率。系统的采样频率为50Hz,有效遥测距离大干500米。系统软件能在几分钟内计算出50多个技术参数,给出统计结果,并能根据运动员不同的技术模式对桨入水角进行优化。     

Influence of foot-stretcher height on rowing technique and performance

Strength, technique, and coordination are crucial to rowing performance, but external interventions such as foot-stretcher set-up can fine-tune technique and optimise power output. For the same resultant force, raising the height of foot-stretchers on a rowing ergometer theoretically alters the orientation of the resultant force vector in favour of the horizontal component. This study modified foot-stretcher heights and examined their instantaneous effect on foot forces and rowing technique. Ten male participants rowed at four foot-stretcher heights on an ergometer that measured handle force, stroke length, and vertical and horizontal foot forces. Rowers were instrumented with motion sensors to measure ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar–pelvic kinematics. Key resultant effects of increased foot-stretcher heights included progressive reductions in horizontal foot force, stroke length, and pelvis range of motion. Raising foot-stretcher height did not increase the horizontal component of foot force as previously speculated. The reduced ability to anteriorly rotate the pelvis at the front of the stroke may be a key obstacle in gaining benefits from raised foot-stretcher heights. This study shows that small changes in athlete set-up can influence ergometer rowing technique, and rowers must individually fine-tune their foot-stretcher height to optimise power transfer through the rowing stroke on an ergometer.