Instrumenting a rowing ergometer for improved training

Rowing ergometers are used by athletes for indoor training and performance improvement. Typical commercial ergometers provide some information (for example power output and covered distance), but these indications are typically estimated starting from the fan speed and thus are not very reliable as already pointed out in the literature. The present paper presents the work done to fully instrument a commercial rowing ergometer in order to directly measure all relevant quantities for improved training: the seat, the handlebar and the stretchers have been redesigned and equipped with force and displacement sensors able to measure both the dynamic and kinematic behavior of the athlete. In this way the interaction of the athlete with the rowing machine is fully known, together with the direct measurement of the instantaneous rowing power output. Some results are also presented and discussed.