Randall Foils Versus Big Blades: Comparative Analysis in On-Water Sprint Rowing

We evaluated the technical and energetical impact of using Randall foils versus simple Big blades during a maximum rowing effort in field conditions.

Fourteen experienced rowers (12 male and 2 female) 26 (9) versus 25 (9) years of age, 179.8 (4.3) versus 175.0 (2.8) cm in height, and 74.2 (4.8) versus 65.5 (6.2) kg of body mass (for males and females, respectively) performed 2 maximal 500-m on-water bouts (1 each using Randall foils and simple Big blades in a randomized order). Performance and physiological variables were continuously measured along the efforts, with the latter being also recorded during the baseline and recovery periods.

Rowing time was shorter using Randall foils when compared with simple Big blades (107.59 [5.53] vs 108.96 [5.44] s), while cycle rate (39.73 [2.56] vs 39.71 [2.24] cycle·min-1), peak oxygen uptake (63.47 [9.96] vs 62.68 [9.65] mL·kg-1·min-1), mean oxygen uptake (4.15 [0.77] vs 4.12 [0.78] L·min-1), respiratory frequency (62.44 [9.22] vs 62.17 [11.22] beats·min-1), peak heart rate (178 [11] vs 180 [9] beats·min-1], peak blood lactate concentration (14.26 [3.52] vs 13.76 [4.02] mmol · L-1), and rating of perceived effort (17 [1.43] vs 17 [1]) were similar in both experimental conditions. Furthermore, it was observed that the aerobic pathway represented ∼50% of the total energy spent in the 500-m sprint independently of the blades used.

Data suggest that the use of Randall foils enhances rowing performance without compromising rowers' mechanical and metabolic functions.