Tachibana, K., Miyazaki, J., Yashiro, K., Tani, T., Usui, C., & Higuchi, M. (2003). Relationships between partial motion power during rowing and muscle cross-sectional areas. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 324.

Collegiate rowers (M = 15; F = 4) rowed 2000 m on a rowing ergometer. Various kinematic measures and force output were measured.

Leg drive (39%), trunk swing (49%), and arm pull (11%) contributed to total rowing power. Leg drive and trunk swing correlated with total rowing power (r = .85 and r = .86 respectively) while arm pull did not correlate significantly. The principal role of the arms was one of transferring forces developed through the legs and trunk to the oar handle.

Implication. The roles of the legs and trunk in rowing should be emphasized equally whereas the arms should not be considered as power development sources. The arms primarily transmit leg and trunk power to the oar handle.

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