Rowperfect’s unique force curve is the Number 2 reason to start training your crew using RP.  [The Number 1 reason is to use a machine that simulates rowing and works you the same way on land as water].

Rowperfect Force curve W2-

How to understand what the force curve means takes around 5 minutes attention.  Are you ready to learn?

Force Curve Shape

Take a look at the image opposite.  You see a yellow line on the left side – that is the force curve for 1 stroke.

It’s got a steep rise initially, a slight kink, then continues to a smooth peak and then has a long diagonal tail down to the right when it ends.

What’s good

1. The curve is fat.  Area under the curve is total power – you want to maximise this
2. There is a clear peak
3. The line is smooth and only has one big kink [more on this later]

Force Curve Data

Below the graph are some numbers – the Rowperfect software has over 20 separate data points it can log.  But it displays 8 at a time.
You can see

• Power (228 Watts – great for a woman)
• Stroke length (145 cms – very good indeed)
• Distance moved per stroke (1056 cms – important measure for efficiency)
• Drive to Recovery ratio (2.59 : 1 – excellent for a UT2 workout)
• Distance (140 meters)
• Time (00:48 seconds)
• Stroke rate (21)
• Rel Peak Force Position (37 – this is the % through the stroke where the peak occurs – really helpful for crew alignment)

Things to work on

For this athlete, I’d recommend 2 key areas to focus.  She is already strong, skilled and well trained.  The stroke length and watts data show that.

First, try to smooth out the kink on the up-curve.  If she can continue the power with which she starts the stroke and eliminate that small loss of power, her boat will go faster.

Secondly, display Joules as well as watts.  Joules is energy per stroke and unlike watts does not vary as stroke rate changes.  This important measure will help you train effective power delivery into your crew or yourself.  Read this post which explains how to use this powerful data Teach Rowers how to keep power when they go up in rate.

Borrow a Rowperfect for your club for 2 weeks – try us out.  Get in touch.