The influence of blade design on rowing sprint performance

To assess the biomechanical differences between Randall foils and Big blades in rowing sprints, 12 experienced rowers (10 males) with 25.9 ± 8.7 vs. 24.5 ± 9.2 y, 179.8 ± 4.3 vs. 175.0 ± 2.8 cm of height, 74.2 ± 4.8 vs. 65.5 ± 6.2 kg of body mass and 23.0 ± 1.4 vs. 26.6 ± 1.4 kg/m² of body mass index (for males and females) performed two randomised maximal-intensity 500 m bouts using Randall foils and Big blades. Biomechanical variables were recorded using GPS and IMU-based systems. Randall foils presented lower race time (108.3 ± 5.10 vs. 109.90 ± 4.93 s, <i>p</i> = 0.04), higher mean velocity (4.62 ± 0.20 vs. 4.55 ± 0.19 m/s, <i>p</i> = 0.03) and velocity coefficient of variation (11.38 ± 5.10 vs. 10.14 ± 3.68, <i>p</i> = 0.01). Velocity-time profiles showed higher velocity with Big blades from ~62-68% and ~82-98% of the cycle, particularly at the start (10-30%, 60-72% and 80-92%) and finish (20-25% and 60-65%). Overall, Randall foils provided a consistent advantage that may be decisive in races where outcomes are decided by fractions of a second.