Injury and Illness Factors Over Two Olympic Cycles: Will Ruth
Physical Qualities that Predict Rowing Performance: Blake Gourley
Improving Rowing Performance with Plyometrics: Joe DeLeo
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Epidemiology of injury and illness in 153 Australian international-level rowers over eight international seasons. Trease, L., Wilkie, K., Lovell, G., Drew, M., & Hooper, I. (2020). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54.
Researchers studied eight years of illness and injury data from the Australian Rowing Team to better understand what causes elite rowers to miss training time. A change in coaching between the 2012 and 2016 Olympic cycles brought a change in policy from using dynamic ergometers to using static ergometers, and the researchers observed a significant increase in athletes missing training days due to low back pain. The findings of this study lead to potential strategies to improve athlete availability.
Free Bonus Content! An Interview with Researchers Dr. Larissa Trease and Kellie Wilkie
Physical and strength variables as a predictor of 2000m rowing ergometer performance in elite rowers. Majumdar, P., Das, A., Malay, Mandal. (2017). Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 17(4).
Researchers studying physical qualities that predict rowing performance have found that age, height, limb length, body weight, lean body mass, leg strength, grip strength, and the ability to produce large amounts of lower-body and rowing specific power, are significantly correlated to 2km rowing performance. Coaches and rowers can use this information to identify rowing potential, individual limitations, and to target the development of qualities that may impact rowing performance.
The effect of concurrent plyometric training versus submaximal aerobic cycling on rowing economy, peak power, and performance in male high school rowers. Egan-Shuttler, J., Edmonds, R., Eddy, C., O’Neill, C., & Ives, S. (2017). Sports Medicine Open, 3(7).
Researchers conducted a four-week study of a concurrent training program comparing two groups: a plyometric group versus a submaximal aerobic group. The researchers found the plyometric group showed significant improvements in 500-meter time trials and a modest improvement in peak power during three trials of 15-second maximal rowing ergometer tests. The results suggest plyometric training is beneficial to improve rowing performance over shorter distances.
About Science of Rowing
“Science of Rowing” is a monthly publication created by three dual rowing-strength coaches, Will Ruth, Blake, Gourley, and Joe DeLeo. Our goal is to move research into practice for coaches and rowers of all ages, types, and levels. We are entirely member-funded and do not promote products or sell advertisements. Members receive one issue each month containing three reviews of recent and applicable research in rowing training, strength training for rowing, and other relevant performance areas like psychology, injury analysis, technology, and more. Each issue includes video and graphic content to help move the knowledge into practice, as well as a podcast episode of the three of us discussing the takeaways and our experiences. Membership includes access to all prior issues, so join us for one month and get access to every issue. We also offer discounted annual and team memberships, as well as gift memberships for a special rower or coach in your life.