Volume 2, Issue 4 (April, 2021)
Stroke-by-Stroke Rowing Power Assessment: Will Ruth
Music’s Impact on Rowing Performance: Blake Gourley
Maintain Body Temperature to Improve Rowing Performance: Joe DeLeo
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Beyond peak, a simple approach to assess rowing power and the impact of training: a technical report. Egan-Shuttler, J., Edmonds, R., Eddy, C., O’Neill, V., & Ives, S. (2019) International Journal of Exercise Science, 12(6).
Junior rowers performing four weeks of plyometric training significantly improved 500-meter performance and slightly improved 15-second peak power performance versus a matched group doing stationary cycling. Evaluating the data stroke-by-stroke using the ErgData app revealed that the plyometric group significantly increased drive speed, achieved peak power earlier in the 15-second test, and produced more force over the entire test than the cycling group. These findings inform our power evaluation practices and our understanding of the influence of plyometric training on rowing performance.
Effects of preferred and nonpreferred warm-up music on exercise performance. Ballmann, C., Marshall, M., Williams, T., Pederson, J., Rogers, R., Karow, M. (2020). Perceptual and Motor Skills, 0(0).
12 physically active individuals performed an all-out 2K on an erg after three different warm-up scenarios: no music played, preferred music played, or nonpreferred music played. Listening to preferred music resulted in increased power output, faster 2K times, higher heart rates, and greater motivation levels. Coaches and rowers can use this information to strategically incorporate music into their individual training, team training, and pre-race environments.
Free Bonus Content! Interview with performance consultant Anderson Bourell
Improved 2000-m rowing performance in a cool environment with an external heating garment. Cowper, G., Barwood, M., & Goodall, S. (2021). International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(1).
Researchers tested ten male rowers in a laboratory controlled environment set to 8 degrees Celsius, 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit to determine if a heated jacket would improve 2,000 meter rowing performance. The researchers found approximately 4.8 seconds (1.1%) improvement in rowing performance over 2,000 meters. Rowers can use a heated jacket to achieve and maintain an optimal body temperature for both cold weather training, competition, and extended wait times before races.
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.
