An interesting case occurred during our recent BioRow testing: a female single sculler (1.56m, 65kg) performed the standard BioRow step-test protocol (RBN 2013/04). Originally, the rigging was 0.88/2.85/1.60m (inboard/ oar length/ span), which made the static oar gearing ratio 2.077 very light even for this LW1x rowers` category (RBN 2020/07). Effect of light static oar gearing was multiplied by light dynamic gearing caused by short catch angles (about 53deg at low rates, down to 49deg at racing rate), which was related to long inboard and span at quite short athlete`s height. This made overall gearing too light, which was confirmed with "burden factors: both HDF (63-65 kg/m) and mass equivalent ME (37-39 kg over cycle) were much lower the average values for this category. The sculler had no problems with maintaining high racing stroke rate 35-36 spm, but struggled to "connect" with water and apply power: strokes looked too light and unproductive, speed target was not achieved. After the data analysis, it was decided to change the rigging by means of shortening oar levers and span down to 0.865/ 2.84/ 1.58 m, which made the static oar gearing 2.1% heavier up to 2.121, and also the stretcher was moved 4 cm aft (to the stern), which supposed to make catch angles longer and dynamic gearing heavier. It is important to note combined changes of both levers and stretcher position, which helped to maintain a comfortable finish position: if only levers would be shortened, the handles would be too far from rower`s body, if only the stretched moved aft - it would be too "tight" at the finish. ... This case is another evidence on how an optimal oar and boat rigging may help to improve rowing efficiency and speed. Of course, the real result would depend on how the athlete will be able to sustain the increased load caused by heavier gearing during full race distance, which depends on physiological conditions of this sculler. However, this biomechanical analysis objectively shows that, at least, the optimized rigging significantly improved ability to apply force and power at shorter distances.
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