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COMPARING MUSCLE ACTIVATION BETWEEN STATIONARY, DYNAMIC AND ON-WATER ROWING

Abstract

C. Murbach, K. York, L. Howard, T. Klaudt, B. Higginson

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Off-water rowing ergometry methods such as dynamic and stationary ergometry are common solutions used by rowing coaches when faced with environmental conditions. There has been extensive research done on the kinematics and overall force production of the different ergometer types. However, little research has been done on the comparison between stationary, dynamic and on-water rowing. PURPOSE: This study investigated whether dynamic or stationary ergometry has more comparable muscle activation to on-water rowing. METHODS: 9 collegiately trained male rowers performed three trials of two-minute rowing at 20 strokes per minute (spm) using a repeated measures counterbalanced design. The three trials consisted of stationary erging (SE), dynamic erging (DE) and on-water rowing (OW). Electromyographic data was taken from the right gastrocnemius (GS), biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF). RESULTS: The mean activation for the GS was 33% higher during SE than OW (p = .026), similarly the BF had a 45% higher mean muscle activation during SE than OW (p = .003). VL mean activation was 33% higher during DE than OW (p = .010)and 56% higher during SE than OW (p = .001). RF was found to a 50% higher max muscle activation during SE than OW (p =.044). RF also had a significantly shorter time to peak activation during SE (29.0 ± 12.9 %) than both OW (37.2 ± 14.8%) (p = .032)and DE (52.2 ± 14.0 %) (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: This research indicated that there may be fewer differences seen between on-water rowing and dynamic ergometry, as compared to stationary ergometry which may indicate that dynamic ergometry is a better training tool for coaches and athletes to utilize as a substitute for when on-water rowing is not available.

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