Peak force, velocity, and power during five and ten maximal rowing ergometer strokes by world class female and male rowers.

Abstract

On a Gjessing rowing ergometer 20 A- and B-squad women (age 21.6 +/- 2.3 years, height 183.6 +/- 2.8 cm, weight 75.6 +/- 2.6 kg) and 81 A-squad men (age 24.6 +/- 2.1 years, height 194.8 +/- 3.3 cm, weight 92.8 +/- 2.7 kg) performed five and ten maximal strokes with a brake load of 3.0 kp; additionally, the women performed a 6-min maximal test (3.0 kp brake load). During the rowing stroke the peak force was measured with a strain gauge, while the peak velocity was determined with an ultrasound echo system. From these values the peak power was calculated. Regardless of sex, there was a relatively constant relationship between peak force and velocity, according to the principle of Hill. For the men the maximal peak force for five and ten strokes was 1350 N, the maximal peak velocity 3.80 m/s, and the maximal peak power 3230 W. The corresponding values for the women were 1020 N, 2.90 m/s, and 1860 W, respectively. With the exception of the strokes at the beginning, at no time during the 6-min maximal test was more than 65%-70% of the maximal force applied. Peak force decreased from the first stroke to the last stroke. The slightly increased peak power during the last 25 s of the test was caused solely by an increase in peak velocity.