Method and apparatus for measuring rowing skill

A computer-implemented method of providing real-time performance feedback on a rowing machine, the rowing machine comprising a load unit coupled to a support track, a seat coupled to the support track configured to support a rower, a handle coupled to the load unit arranged to move relative to the load unit by a pulling action on the handle, and a foot stretcher coupled to the support track arranged to receive a pushing action thereon, the method comprising:

• measuring a first parameter indicative of the pulling action on the handle;
• measuring a second parameter indicative of a velocity of movement of an element of the rowing machine caused by the pushing action received by the foot stretcher;
• and
• determining in real time a relationship between the pulling action on the handle and the pushing action received by the foot stretcher based on the first parameter and the second parameter,
• wherein the foot stretcher is rigidly coupled to the load unit and the load unit is slidably coupled to the support track, wherein the element is the load unit and measuring the second parameter comprises measuring a velocity Viuw of movement of the load unit relative to the support track.

A rowing machine comprising a load unit (1) coupled to a support track (6), a seat (5) coupled to the support track configured to support a rower, a handle (3) coupled to the load unit arranged to move relative to the load unit by a pulling action on the handle, a foot stretcher (4) coupled to the support track arranged to receive a pushing action thereon, and a system for providing real-time performance feedback on the rowing machine, wherein the system comprises:

• a first sensor configured to measure a first parameter indicative of the pulling action on the handle;
• a second sensor (12;
• 17;
• 21) configured to measure a second parameter indicative of a velocity of movement of an element of the rowing machine caused by the pushing action received by the foot stretcher;
• and
• a data processing unit, DPU, configured to determine a relationship between the pulling action on the handle and the pushing action received by the foot stretcher based on the first parameter and the second parameter,
• wherein the foot stretcher (4) is rigidly coupled to the load unit (1) and the load unit is slidably coupled to the support track (6), wherein the element is the load unit and the second sensor (17) configured to measure as the second parameter a velocity of movement of the load unit relative to the support track.