Rowing Biomechanics - Effects of (In)Stability and Fatigue (RowBio)

August 17, 2017 updated by: Nejc Sarabon, University of Primorska

Changes of Biomechanical Parameters During Race Simulation Rowing - The Effect of (In)Stability of the Simulator

Rowing simulators are frequently used by rowers, when on-water training is impossible or limited. While such devices are highly valuable to maintain rowers' fitness, a concern was raised about extensive simulator usage. It was postulated that it could lead to technique alterations due to different biomechanical properties compared to on-water rowing. Slide-based rowing simulators were designed to better simulate on-water conditions.

The main aim of the study was to compare the differences in various kinematic and kinetic parameters during a short (20 s) all-out rowing bout and during a 2000-m simulated race, to get a better insight into how different rowing simulator designs affect biomechanics of rowing.

Three different rowing simulators were used in this study: (1) a standard stable/fixed rowing simulator, (2) a slides based rowing simulator, i.e. horizontal plane unstable, and (3) a tilt board based rowing simulator; i.e. frontal plane unstable.

The investigators hypothesised that rowing on different simulators will elicit different biomechanics, including forces, power output, arm and seat movement velocity and amplitude.

Each of the participants completed the tests in all three interventions on separate sessions; random order of interventions. The three sessions took place 7-10 days apart. During each session, the participants completed the all-out 20-s trial first, then the simulated 2000-m race. The aforementioned biomechanical parameters were tracked throughout the trials to be compared between interventions later.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The measurements will take place at University of Primorska (Koper, Slovenia) and the subjects will be recruited in close collaboration with Rowing Club Piran. Crossover study design will be used. Each participant will be asked to come for three visits that will be scheduled 7-10 days apart. Prior to measurements onset, the whole protocol will be explained to the participant.

Measurement procedure:

  • 15-min warm-up
  • 20-s maximal (all-out) rowing
  • 5-minute break
  • 2000-m simulated race

After both trials, blood lactate will be measured. Blood sample will be taken at the the earlobe by a qualified medical personnel.

Maximal performance test: The participant will perform a 20-s interval with maximal effort. The main aim of the measurement is to record the maximal exerted force and power. The custom adapted device (Concept 2 Rowing Simulator) records the positions (seat and handle) and force (legs push and handle pull), which enables for further calculations of segmental and common kinematics and dynamics parameters.

Race simulation: the participant will complete the 2000-m simulated race and will be instructed to aim for the best results. The same measurements as in the maximal performance test will be performed. Wireless heart rate monitor will be used to record the heart frequency throughout the trial.

Equipment:

The custom adapted rowing simulator (Concept 2) allows for the measurements of stoke forces and consequently power outputs, seat and handle velocity, and seat and handle amplitudes. Signals will be transferred to central unit, amplified and converted, and stored on a personal computer.

The interventions (i.e. the studied rowing conditions) will be as follows:

  • a standard stable/fixed rowing simulator,
  • a slides based rowing simulator, i.e. horizontal plane unstable, and
  • a tilt board based rowing simulator; i.e. frontal plane unstable.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

11

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

15 years to 30 years (ADULT, CHILD)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Competitive rowers with at least 4 years of experience
  • Completed the physical examination at sports physician
  • Parental consent for underage participants

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Injury in last 12 months
  • Any health issues that may be exacerbated by interventions

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
  • Allocation: NA
  • Interventional Model: SINGLE_GROUP
  • Masking: NONE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Experimental group
A group of rowers to be administered to intervention on a Stable rowing simulator, a Slides based rowing simulator or a Tilt board based rowing simulator.
Device: Stable rowing simulator
a standard stable/fixed rowing simulator
Device: Slides based rowing simulator
a slides based rowing simulator, i.e. horizontal plane unstable
Device: Tilt board based rowing simulator
a tilt board based rowing simulator; i.e. frontal plane unstable

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rowing performance
Time Frame: Three sessions, with randomized order of ergometers (7-10 days apart)
Rowing biomechanics on different rowing simulators.
Three sessions, with randomized order of ergometers (7-10 days apart)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Arm velocity
Time Frame: At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Change of the average velocity of arm movement through the rowing stroke.
At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Seat velocity
Time Frame: At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Change of the average velocity of the seat movement through the rowing stroke.
At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Arm force
Time Frame: At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Change of the average arm force through the rowing stroke.
At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Handle amplitude
Time Frame: At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Change of the average handle through the rowing stroke.
At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Leg force
Time Frame: At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Change of the average leg force through the rowing stroke.
At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Seat amplitude
Time Frame: At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Change of the average amplitude of the seat movement through the rowing stroke.
At the onset of test, at the finish and at the three points in between (at 500, 1000 and 1500 meters of the simulated race) - ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart.
Lactate
Time Frame: Before and immediately after the test, ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart. .
Change in blood lactate concentration
Before and immediately after the test, ref. POM: sessions 7-10 days apart. .

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Primorska

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (ACTUAL)

May 1, 2016

Primary Completion (ACTUAL)

October 1, 2016

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

July 31, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 5, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 17, 2017

First Posted (ACTUAL)

August 18, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

August 18, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 17, 2017

Last Verified

August 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UP-FVZ-RowingBiomechanics

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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