1. Int J Sports Med. 2018 Aug 21. doi: 10.1055/a-0637-9613.

[Epub ahead of print]

Comparison of Prolonged Rowing on Fixed and Free-floating Ergometers in

Competitive Rowers.

Kerhervé HA(1)(2), Chatel B(3), Reboah S(1), Rossi J(4), Samozino P(1),
Messonnier LA(1).

Author information:
(1)Univ Savoie Mont Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la
Motricité, EA 7424, F-73000 Chambéry, France.
(2)School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science Health Education and
Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
(3)Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France.
(4)Univ Lyon, UJM Saint-Etienne, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la
Motricité, EA 7424, F-42023. Saint Etienne, France.

This study aimed to compare the effect of a 40-min submaximal rowing exercise
performed on ergometers with fixed and free-floating designs. Heart rate, blood
lactate concentration, force and rate of force development (RFD) at the handle,
stroke rate, duty factor, movement kinematics of upper and lower limbs, and
muscle activity of lumbar spine muscles iliocostalis and erector spinae (IC and
ESL) were measured at the beginning and at the end of a 40-min rowing exercise at
~60% of peak power output, in eleven competitive rowers. Force of lumbar
extension decreased, and blood lactate increased following submaximal exercise on
both ergometers. No changes in RFD, duty factor, and muscle activity of IC
occurred in response to submaximal exercise. Rowing on DYN elicited higher heart
rate and modified rowing kinematics (stroke rate, acceleration of the lower
limbs) without changes in temporal or force application patterns compared to
rowing on STAT at the same power output. Rowing on DYN was also associated with
increased activity of the lumbar spine muscle ESL, which could originate from a
greater range of motion, or from an increased lumbar spine muscle activity, at
the same overall power.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

DOI: 10.1055/a-0637-9613
PMID: 30130813

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.