THE SPORT OF ROWING Force curve analysis has been discussed at length at FISA Coaches’ Conferences by Theo Körner1428 of the GDR in 1978, by Christov and Zdravkov 1429of Bulgaria in 1988 and by me in 1990.1430 It turns out that curves tend to be as unique as fingerprints, and like fingerprints, an individual’s curve tends to be quite consistent despite changes in rating and/or effort level. Bulgarian National Coaches: “In the boat, as well as on the rowing ergometer, each oarsman shows an interesting and personally typical style.”1431 Further, the shape of the curve tends to be consistent over long periods of time during and after a rower’s career unless the athlete makes a concerted effort to change it. The Bulgarians called these distinctive and persistent curves “motion habits.”1432 Force curves have been used to attempt to select compatible rowers to form compatible boats. Christov and Zdravkov: “The selection of multiseat boats [for the Bulgarian team] is done mainly on the basis of equality in rowing style [i.e., similar force curves]. . . . Taking into consideration the good results . . . obtained in recent years, some of the achievements can be explained with the new technical systems.”1433 1428 Prof. Dr. Theodor Körner, Force Patterns on the Oarlock, 7th FISA Coaches’ Conference, Werder, GDR, 1978 1429 Roumen Christov, Roumyan Christov & Nikolay Zdravkov, Selection and Testing System Based on Biomechanical Studies in Racing Boats on Rowing Ergometer, 17th FISA Coaches’ Conference, 1988 1430 Peter Mallory, Optimal Force Application in Rowing, the Analysis of Rowing Force Graphs and Force Graph Biofeedback, 18th FISA Coaches’ Conference, Indianapolis, USA, 1990 1431 Christov et al, p. 25 1432 Ibid. 1433 Christov et al, p. 25 Miloš Janša, coach of Slovenia’s Veslaški klub Bled:1434 “In larger crew boats, the internal unison among crew members is of great significance, [and] it is mostly represented by the equal application of power throughout the drive. This can only be demonstrated by identical force curves. “The curves are carefully studied and matched across all members of the crew. Ideally, all crew members should generate identical power curves.”1435 Force curves have also been used to teach rowers to adopt a coach’s preferred force pattern. It turns out that a rower can sit in front of a computer monitor and change the shape of his or her force curve at will almost immediately just by watching it in real time and thereby receiving direct biofeedback.1436 However, it may take as many as one hundred thousand repetitions to make any switch permanent.1437 Organic Integrity During the first one hundred years of sport rowing, most coaches instinctively preferred a pullthrough with organic integrity and thought their crews were doing just that. Through his experiment, Courtney discovered, much to his surprise, that his oarsmen were rowing a segmented pullthrough with discreet pulses of effort resulting from the sequential use of backs and then legs. 1434 Bled Rowing Club. See Chapter 123. 1435 Klavora, Peter & Miloš Janša, Learn to Scull from Olympic Champions 1436 Mallory, Optimal Force Application, p. 9 1437 “This estimate comes from Hank Genser, the most experienced coach in the Dutch speed skating arena. This coincides very well with our experience that it generally takes one winter season to modify rowing force curves.” - Cas Rekers, personal correspondence, 2008 380
