DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ELITE AND NOVICE ROWERS ON ERGOMETER

Abstract

The study focuses on how technique of differently skilled rowers is dependent on stroke rate. Five elite and five novice rowers participated, and the selected kinematic and kinetic parameters of rowing on an ergometer were analyzed at stroke rates of 20 strokes/min, 26 strokes/min and 34 strokes/min. The results show that elite rowers use consistent rowing technique at all stroke rates while the technique of novice rowers significantly differs from the elites’ and varies between subjects and with stroke rate. Variation in technique among five elite rowers is small. Although a lack of technique is evident, novice rowers demonstrated a consistent pattern at the same stroke rate. On the basis of the results, the crucial parameters that differentiate elite and novice rowers are indicated.