ABSTRACT
Traditional rowing is a sport performed on water in racing shells built to accommodate one (single) to eight athletes. The Olympic and Paralymic rowing race distances are 2,000 and 1,000 m, respectively, but race distances can vary at other competitions such as head races or ‘sprints’. On-water rowing is accomplished by either sculling with two oars or ‘sweep’, in which each rower only uses one oar (Nolte, 2005). There is also an indoor rowing competition using stationary rowing machines (e.g. Concept 2®) and there is a 2,000 m international championship hosted annually using these same devices (C.R.A.S.H.-B Sprints, 2012). Thus, rowing exercise is performed in two general ways, on water or using stationary exercise on a rowing ergometer or machine. As well, rowing exercise is not only performed by rowers, but has also become popular for recreation, fitness training and rehabilitation (Gillies and Bell, 2000; Smart et al., 2012; Urhausen et al., 2009; Wheeler et al., 2002). Finally, past research has examined various physiological and biomechanical aspects of both on-water and stationary rowing exercise and training (Bompa, 1980; Di Prampero et al., 1971; Hagerman, 1984; Martindale and Robertson, 1984; Secher, 1993; Steinacker, 1993; Webster et al., 2006).
