KINEMATIC SYMMETRY IN ROWING: COMPARISON OF FIXED STRETCHER VERSUS FREE-FLOATING ERGOMETER

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic symmetry of lower and upper limbs when using two kinds of rowing ergometers. Fifteen high-level rowers performed two 15stroke tests at a race rate on two different Rowperfect rowing ergometers. One was fitted up with a fixed stretcher mechanism and the other with a free-floating stretcher mechanism. The tests were carried out in a randomised order. Flexion/extension angles were computed from trajectories of twenty-two markers collected by a motion analysis system. A functional data framework was realised to compare right versus left side angle function curves. These angle curves were validated by bibliographic data. High levels of symmetry were observed for angles of the lower and upper limbs regardless of the mechanism rowed. Shoulder and hip angles for the fixed and the free-floating conditions respectively, were the only exceptions in this regard. The rower's symmetry pointed out by this work allows one-side kinematical analysis of flexion/extension angles.