Accelerometry-based feedback--can it improve movement consistency and performance in rowing?

Sports Biomech. 2005 Jul;4(2):179-95. doi: 10.1080/14763140508522862.

Abstract

The training and competition regimen of elite athletes demands rapid feedback about their performance. The aim of this study was to determine if real-time visual ipsative (comparison with oneself) feedback of instantaneous kinematic consistency improves overall kinematic consistency in rowing. Accelerometry-based data, representing the upper and lower body kinematics, were determined for 13 experienced rowers. Kinematic consistency data -- represented by percentage time outside the acceptable performance bandwidth, performance consistency -- represented by power-stroke dispersion, and several performance indicators were acquired for all the rowers for three 2000 m time trials on a RowPerfect ergometer with three different visual feedback interventions: no feedback, detailed feedback, and summary feedback. Results indicated significantly increased performance consistency for detailed feedback than for both no feedback (p < 0.01) and summary feedback (p < 0.05). No significant difference between summary feedback and no feedback was found (p = 0.173). We deemed feedback of detailed information to enhance kinematic consistency significantly more than both no feedback (p < 0.01) and summary feedback (p < 0.01) interventions, although summary feedback was shown to enhance kinematic consistency more than no feedback (p < 0.01). No improvements were found for performance-related parameters.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Ergometry / instrumentation*
  • Feedback, Psychological*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology
  • Physical Education and Training / methods*
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Sports / psychology*
  • Task Performance and Analysis*