Rowing Canada

Biomechanics and technology improving performance

Keane Wheeler

ROAD TO EXCELLENCE 2004 Athens• Canada ranked 19th at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games• Canada ranked 3rd at the Paralympic Games

2008 Beijing • Canada ranked top 15 Olympic nations • Canada ranked top 5 Paralympic nations in the gold medal count

2012 London• Canada ranked top 10 - 12 Olympic nations in medal count • Canada ranked top 5 Paralympic nations in the gold medal count

Keane Wheeler

ROWING CANADA

2008 Beijing Olympics• Men ranked 3rd (1G – 1S – 1B)• Women ranked 11th (0G – 0S – 1B)

• Overall rankings1. UK (2G – 2S – 2B)2. AUS (2G – 1S – 0B)3. CANADA (1G – 1S – 2B)

2008 Beijing Paralympics • Canada no medals• UK ranked 1st (2G – 0S – 1B)

Keane Wheeler

2010 ROWING WORLD CUP - BLED

Keane Wheeler

BIOMECHANICS & ROWING

• How can biomechanics contribute to the success of the

Canadian rowing program?

• How can biomechanics improve rowing performance?

Keane Wheeler

ROWING RESEARCH

• Extensive research examining rowing biomechanics

• Predominately ergometer based assessment

• Key focus of biomechanics research: – Boat composition and the correct configuration to generate

torque equilibrium– Importance of crew synchronisation and stroke mechanics– Hydrodynamics – surface area (wetted area) and profile

drag (frontal surface area)– Emphasis on propulsive power– Illustration of force-time curves during the rowing stroke

Keane Wheeler

KEY RESEARCH

• Smith, R (1995) emphasised the importance stroke consistency and smoothness to rowing performance

• Rodriguez, R (1990) suggested that the strength of individual muscles is not as important to rowing as the combined action of muscle groups. Hence, rowers must develop technical skill to coordinate the stroke.

• Smith, R (2002) outlined that modern technology allows the biomechanical determinants of rowing performance to measured and feedback given instantaneously on-water. Although rowers and their coaches value this feedback, the information must be presented using relevant and meaningful

methods (e.g. appropriate to the learning style of the athlete).

Keane Wheeler

ROWING PERFORMANCE

Keane Wheeler

ROWING BIOMECHANCIS

Coach / athlete centre support

Key questions:

• What is that you need to be successful?

• How can we individualise your support? Keane Wheeler

FEEDBACK TO ROWERS

• Focus on video analysis

• Combine video with force-time data– Effective stroke mechanics

• Immediate feedback (when required)• Lapsed-time feedback (when required)

• Matching feedback to athlete learning style

Keane Wheeler

INNOVATIVE FEEDBACK

• iPhone technology (Dartfish application)

• On-water video feedback – novel positions such as overhead tracking

• Managing video data – online database with video and rigging information

• Combining video with kinetic measures (e.g. pin, stretcher and seat forces) when appropriate

Keane Wheeler

ROWING BIOMECHANICS

Key points:

• Biomechanics / Technology can improve rowing

• Focus on technical skills

• Efficient and meaningful feedback appropriate to

individual needs and learning styles

Keane Wheeler