On this site you'll find a lot of information and the latest updates on the research of the "Research Internship 'Vrije Universiteit' Amsterdam and 'University of Sydney'". This research is divided into two separate but strongly related projects. The projects are under the supervision of Dr R.M. Smith of the University of Sydney, who has been involved in the research on the biomechanics in rowing for many years and Dr. A.J. "Knoek" van Soest of the 'Vrije Universiteit' in Amsterdam, who has been working together with Dr Smith for several years. The main purpose of both projects is to gain more knowlege in the biomechanics of rowing. A summary of both projects, "Comparing Ergometer Rowing and On-Water Rowing" and "Optimising Rowing Efficiency". The research proposals and the protocols of the two projects can be find on this page. 1st study: The first purpose of this study is to replicate the research of Van Soest et al. (1999) concerning the dynamic description of the system Concept IIb ergometer. This will be done using the newer model Concept IIc ergometer which is principly the same. Little adjustments have to be made to the original model of Van Soest. A next purpose of this study is to identify the mechanical properties of the Rowperfect ergometer and the Concept IIc on slides. The final purpose of this study is to identify the mechanical properties of a single rowing shell including sculls. A similar model structure as identified with the Rowperfect ergometer, will be obtained for the rowing shell and adapted for the specific parameters which apply to this on-water-rowing system. 2nd study examined how to optimise rowing efficiency.