The Effects of Oar-Shaft Stiffness and Length on Rowing Biomechanics

This work experimentally investigates the effects of oar-shaft stiffness and length on rowing biomechanics. Elite rowers were tested in instrumented single sculling boats over a set distance using oar-shafts of different stiffness and length. There were slight differences in the measured boat accelerations and oarlock forces between rowing with the different oar configurations. However, the rower’s inter-stroke inconsistencies in the biomechanical parameters were on the same order of magnitude as the measured differences between rowing with the different oar configurations. The results are discussed in relation to oar-shaft deflection and lever theory.