AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED KINEMATIC VARIABLES IN SCULL ROWING USING MACON AND HATCHET OARS

Abstract

The Hatchet oar is now used extensively in competitive rowing because it is believed to enhance performance. There has been little research to verify this. To determine possible differences between the scull kinematics using the Hatchet and Macon oar, a 24 year old male, lightweight rower, raced 2000 m on two separate days. An 8 mm video camera and a g.analyst accelerometer collected the data. A custom software program, divided the acceleration data into individual strokes and a cubic spline standardized the stroke length. Video data confirmed that the software correctly detected stroke cycles. The acceleration data was integrated using Simpson's Rule as well as the Trapezoidal Rule. First order derivatives where determined using first and second order finite differences and impulse. Velocity data was smoothed using a multiple low pass 2nd order Butterworth digital filter. Twelve discrete measures of percentage stroke length and the value at local vertices, as well as three measures of impulse where examined using one way ANOVAs. Most of the discrete measures examined were statistically significant (p<0.001) with a 95% confidence interval. Therefore, it appears that scull kinematic differences exist between the Hatchet and Macon oars. It is suggested that the Hatchet oar may be more efficient by transferring more energy into motion in the rowing direction.