For several years we have been compiling Force Measurement Data on single and double scullers of various skill levels including some of the top elite scullers in the country and the world to understand how best to improve synergy of power application.

A Force Measurement System can speed up the mastering of efficient rowing technique and synergism. This Force system consists of a portable electronic data logger with force transducers attached to the oarlock pins and the keel of the boat. The data logger is downloaded after each on the water session using software that converts the data into force, speed and acceleration curves for each rower, plus oarlock angle, power, stroke, and stopwatch data. The curves are reviewed by the athletes and coach immediately after the outing along with synchronized video data that has been taken from a coach boat.

Using the generated data, with the assistance of basic physics and biomechanics principles the force, velocity, acceleration and gate angle curves are compared to published curves from the best medal wining boats. Basic physics confirm why these shapes are good models for an efficient stroke that a coach and athlete can understand. For the slides and supporting paper presented at the "2009 Jim Joy's, Joy of Sculling Conference" on Force Measurement, by Jim Dreher and Coleen Fuerst, see below:

• Force Measurement Presentation (Slides)
• Force Measurement Paper: Part I
• Force Measurement Paper: Part II (Coming Soon)

For more information, please contact us.

Last Updated: December 13, 2009