New development for adaptive rowers

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13/04/2009

Following a recent adaptive rowing workshop with the Korean Rowing Association new developments have been revealed to help adaptive rowers. Korea’s National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) is currently working on a motorised seat for use on the Concept2 rowing machine to assist those with spinal injuries.

Simon Goodey of FISA’s Adaptive Rowing Commission was in Korea recently as part of the adaptive rowing coaching workshop and he commented on the new development. “This will have significant application for wheelchair users and those individuals with impaired leg function,” said Goodey.

The NRC was interested to hear about the Functional Stimulation Assisted Rowing (FES) that is being used in rowing programmes at the London Regatta Centre and Brunel University. “It was agreed that both the London Regatta Centre and the NRC would collaborate on future research developments,” said Goodey.

The adaptive rowing workshop was timed to coincide with the 5th Daegu University President’s Cup International Adaptive Indoor Rowing Competition. This competition has played a leading role in promoting the sport of adaptive indoor rowing in Korea. The growth of the competition has meant that since 2008 the President’s Cup has attracted overseas competitors from Hong Kong and Japan.

At the adaptive workshop discussions included sessions on both land and water based training sessions together with a seminar covering adaptive rowing specific presentations including an overview of adaptive rowing internationally, equipment, rigging guidelines for adaptive boats, therapeutic applications for rowing including mental health, acquired/traumatic brain injury and functional electrical stimulation assisted rowing (FES).

The workshop was attended by coaches and athletes from South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. . And here is the rest of it.