St Edward's Academic Review 2025

ST EDWARD’S, OXFORD

Power is essential to rowing. Kleshnev states that ‘to produce maximal power, a muscle must contract at an optimal velocity’ (Kleshnev, 2016 as cited by Nolte, 2020). Power is closely linked to strength. An athlete who is stronger can put less effort in per stroke to keep up with less powerful rowers (Ruth, 2017). However, power is not always used efficiently. There are other factors that can limit power such as technical efficiency and mental and physical endurance, which can all work to decrease an athlete’s power output whilst rowing. Peak power sets a limit to a rower’s performance (McNeely, 2009) but it is possible to train to increase power output (providing that the athlete is willing to put in the time), as power can always be increased.

‘ In biomechanical terms, levers are significant in the action of rowing ’

AGE 14–22

AGE 14–20

Impact of height

Figure 2 START programme requirements (British Rowing, Performance Development Academies, 2023) MINIMUM HEIGHT 178CM OR 5'10" 188CM OR 6'2"

The discussion of the biomechanics of rowing can now lead onto the importance of height in rowing performance or the extent that height impacts a 2k erg test result in adolescent rowers by connecting what is understood about the movements in rowing to the anthropometry of the athlete.

maximum strength compared to shorter people who have a lower surface area. However, it is worth noting that ‘taller people of the same proportions as shorter people have a reduced capability of generating power or work output per unit time’ (Samaras, 2007). To simplify that, a taller person finds it harder to have the same power output per kilogram in comparison to a shorter person. Taller people have longer limbs which enables them to have a longer reach. A long reach is important when considering stroke length in rowing. Nolte argues that a ‘long stroke is necessary to produce a high level of rowing performance’ (Nolte, 2020). This is because a longer stroke leads to a larger reaction force (movement against the water), which will push the boat further along the water. The combination of a large force and longer impulse duration increased by long stroke length maximises the success of an individual rower and tends to lead to many successful rowers being tall. The GB Start programme bases its recruitment strategy on identifying ‘tall and talented’ athletes. Based on the claim that ‘many of the most successful rowers are tall’ (British Rowing, Performance Development Academies, 2023) they use a minimum height requirement to filter their applicants for the programme.

Levers

In biomechanical terms, levers are significant in the action of rowing. Rowing is a first-class lever (Umass, 2012), with the fulcrum in the middle (where the oarlock and oar meet) and the effort being the force pushing against the water. So where does height come into this? Longer levers (arms and legs) contribute to a greater ability to apply force onto the footplate and blade, providing a mechanical advantage. Having a higher mechanical advantage means that it becomes easier to lift the load (push through the water). Mechanical advantage is dependent on the distance between the fulcrum and effort and distance between the load and the fulcrum. Long levers increase the propulsion of the boat so that it goes faster. Therefore, taller athletes have an advantage over shorter ones and can apply less effort to exert the same power. The relationship between height and strength Absolute strength has a direct relationship with muscle cross-sectional area, which correlates with the body’s surface area (Samaras, 2007). This suggests that taller people will have a higher

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