BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BULGARIAN ELITE ROWERS’ TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT The results of biomechanical analysis have a huge impact on the development of the rowing technique and understanding the process of boat motion. The first biomechanical studies of rowing “on-water” technique date from the end of XIX century. Since then, all methods, measurement tools and tests of biomechanics have made a big step ahead which leads to unification of the elite athletes’ technique. Using a BioRowTel Measurement System, developed by Dr. Valery Kleshnev, we tested five elite Bulgarian male rowers (single skull racing boats, 24 ± 4,95 years, 192,6 ± 3,97 cm, 95 ± 3,54 kg) with a 2000 meters standard protocol. Twenty-two different indicators of the rowing technique were measured and calculated. A comparison was made with the “Gold medal standard” of the rowing stroke, created by the same author. The results of data analysis and the lack of significant differences allowed us to consider that the length of the stroke (113,34 ± 3 degrees) is relatively close to the “standard” as well as the ratio between average and maximal force (55% ± 0,03%), the position of the peak of the force applied (37,06% ± 0,06%) and Catch and Finish Angle of the oars (-67,62 ± 6,67 and 45,7 ± 6,98 degrees respectively). The main differences are in the blade slip on catch (8,08 ± 1,21 degrees) and finish (26,28 ± 1,91 degrees) position and the effective rowing angle (69,68% ± 0,02%). This biomechanical analysis reveals some gaps and technical issues of the participants’ state and provide a challenge for the coaches for further improvement.