Kinematics and kinetics of the seated row and implications for conditioning

Optimizing transference of gym-based strength and power gains to sporting performance necessitates a physiological and biomechanical understanding of the weight-training exercise as well as the sporting activity. With this in mind, this paper describes the kinematics and kinetics associated with a seated row. The maximal strength and concentric power-load spectrum (30- 100% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) for the cable seated row was assessed using Olympic rowers (n = 8). In terms of temporal characteristics, peak force across all loads occurred within the first 25% of movement time. Peak power across loads occurred within 35-45% of movement time. With regard to position, peak force occurred within 8.3% and peak power within 27-35% of the start of the concentric phase. To estimate the load that maximized mechanical power output, a quadratic was fitted to each subject's power output vs. 1RM. In terms of mean power, an estimated load of 81.4% (+/- 9.7%) 1RM was found to maximize power output. A 10 and 20% change in load each side of this maximum resulted in a 1.8 and 7.3% decrease in power output, respectively. The predilection of research to train all subjects at 1 load is fundamentally flawed due to interindividual maximum power differences (range in this study = 69-100% 1RM). Also, the importance of this measure would seem questionable, given that loads either side of the load that maximize power output do not change power output substantially.