Physical and technical attributes of on-water rowing performance in junior and elite rowers
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2024
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Rowing performance research intends to provide coaches, support staff, applied researchers, and athletes with information that can improve our understanding of the attributes that contribute to success. The aim of this thesis was to explore the inter-relatedness of the physical and technical aspects of on-water rowing performance which optimise boat velocity. Establishing performance characteristics for elite and junior, male and female rowers contributes to improved understanding on aspects affecting the progression from junior to elite level rowing. In addition, the complex nature of rowing performance was explored. The extent of rowing biomechanics research specific to on-water rowing was unclear, prompting a scoping review in Chapter Two to establish the current state of evidence. The review highlights the vast array of reported variables making systematic comparison and collation of data problematic.
Chapter Three presents coaches’ perspectives on the physical and technical attributes pertinent to rowing performance. This study drew on the experiential knowledge of highly experienced rowing coaches to inform subsequent studies in this research project. A gap that was perceived by coaches was an inconsistent use of terminology creating a level of confusion around the differences between physiological capacity and physical competency for rowing. Thus, Chapter Four proposes and defines the concept of movement competency specific to rowing.
Chapter Five explores the integration of technical on-water rowing attributes with a comprehensive set of athlete physical attributes associated with rowing performance. Performance characteristics were established for each categorical group and the complex nature of sports performance was explored. Chapter Six utilises functional data analysis to enhance our understanding of elite rowing technique, focussing on the biomechanical patterns of force and acceleration in elite single scullers.
This research develops a greater understanding of how attributes of rowing performance are inter-related, and in general, how sports performance is dynamic and complex in nature. A multiple methods research design included a practice-informed approach followed by novel exploratory studies to quantitatively understand the inter-relatedness of physical and technical characteristics. Higher order statistical modelling provides insights of the technical patterns and trends of elite single sculling which can be applied to junior rowers in the future. Understanding how the physical attributes of junior and elite rowers affect their technical on-water output can provide coaches, athletes and support staff with knowledge that can be integrated into the individual’s daily training plan to support superior performance outcomes, minimise injury and retain participation in the sport.
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