ACCELEROMETRY BASED IPSATIVE BIOFEEDBACK TO IMPROVE KINEMATIC CONSISTENCY AND PERFORMANCE IN ROWING

Abstract

The training and competition regimen of elite athletes demands rapid feedback regarding their performance. The aim of this study was to determine if real lime, visual feedback of instantaneous kinematic consistency can improve rowing performance and overall kinematic consistency. Prototypical accelerometry based kinematic patterns representing the upper and lower body were determined for thirteen rowers. Percentage time outside these kinematic patterns (kinematic consistency) and performance indicators were recorded for all rowers for three 2000m time trials with different visual feedback interventions. Significant improvements were found for kinematic consistency for visual feedback. No improvements were found for performance related parameters.