ROWING TRAINING SYSTEM FOR ON-THE-WATER REHABILITATION AND SPORT

Quantitative and continuous performance assessment enhances effective physical training in sports and rehabilitation. Rowing uses the large muscles of the body in an aerobic and strength building manner. Rowing has utilization as a competitive sport, an aerobic exercise, or a rehabilitation exercise, such as related to spinal cord injury, stroke, trauma, old age, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or osteoporosis. Guidance from a physically present coach or therapists has high cost and time requirements that limit accessibility. A computerized system that gives instructions to the rower, monitors rowing performance, and transmits the data to a computer for analysis, storage, and communication would increase accessibility of quality feedback and guidance. Ergometers are stationary rowing stations with automatic instructions and monitoring of performance. Sensors have been developed for on-the-water monitoring of rowing, but these devices typically have disadvantages of affecting the oar, difficult mounting procedures, and high cost. This project developed modules of a system integrated with the oar, which then wirelessly transmitted the recorded force and rotational data to computer. The computer could analyze, store and communicate the data to the rowers, coach or therapist, medical staff and other appropriate family members or associates.