DESCRIPTION OF A METHOD TO CONTINUOUSLY REGISTER THE HAND-CURVE IN ROWERS

Abstract

Previous methods of tracing the path of the rower's oar (the "hand-curve") have relied upon cinematographic methods, which have resulted in a minimal number of strokes being analysed. A method of continuously registering the hand-curve in rowers is presented. A modified Concept II oarlock was designed so that rotation of the oar about the X and Y-axes could be measured and thus the hand-curve obtained. A potential source of error in measurement is in the calibration of the potentiometers measuring the angle. Therefore, the repeatability of this procedure was examined. The calibration procedure was repeated five times and it was revealed that the construction of the calibration rig was of importance to maintain data integrity.