| Slide seat rowing is the most magnificent sport there | | | | require a deliberate alteration in the plane of motion in |
| is, according to Fritz Hagerman, Ph.D., a professor in | | | | the movement. This in conjunction with the variables |
| the Biological Science Department at Ohio University. | | | | of the water surface and surrounding obstacles takes |
| Hagerman, who studies exercise physiology such as | | | | you into a constant state of awareness and hence |
| aerobic and anaerobic capacities, metabolic response, | | | | pro-perceptive activity that is hard to emulate on a |
| and the effects of blood lactate levels on athletes, | | | | rowing machine. He stated that on a physical, |
| found that competitive rowers expended almost | | | | structural level this is true but on a mental or |
| twice the number of calories on a 2,000-meter | | | | emotional level it is even more so. He believes that |
| course as a runner in a 3,000-meter steeplechase. He | | | | the impact on us in dealing with the stress of modern |
| says the latter is considered one of the toughest | | | | society is hard to calculate, but the effect of |
| events. | | | | consistent and all encompassing activity combined |
| Doctors say there are now 1,000,000 joint | | | | with the environment, in his experience, has an |
| replacement surgeries performed each year due to | | | | unparalleled impact upon helping the individual to |
| high impact sporting related activities. In 1999, | | | | maintain health, which to him is more that just fitness. |
| 440,000 people had joint replacement surgery in the | | | | Rowing is also a time-efficient work out and a low |
| United States, with the hip and knee making up 98 | | | | impact sport enjoyed by all ages. |
| percent of those procedures. For hip surgeries, the | | | | Reduce the health effects of stress and increased |
| average age was 66 and for knees, the average age | | | | cortisol |
| was 68. | | | | Stress causes chemical changes in the body such as |
| Both competitive and recreational rowing are unique | | | | increased cortisol levels that, left unchecked, can |
| in comparison to most sports in that they exercise all | | | | have negative effects on both mental and physical |
| of your major muscle groups. Everything from your | | | | health. High levels of stress contribute to health |
| legs, back, and arms are engaged while rowing. In | | | | issues as diverse as depression, insomnia, heart |
| addition, rowing is a low-impact sport. When | | | | disease, skin disorders and headaches. Interestingly |
| executed properly, the rowing stroke is a fairly safe | | | | enough, stress has been the subject of more than |
| motion, providing little room for the serious injury | | | | 20,000 scientific studies. |
| often found in contact and high-impact sports. | | | | One 10-year study by Kiecolt-Glaser looked at the |
| The motion of each stroke is made up of four parts | | | | effects of stress on health of medical students. The |
| that flow into one another. These are the catch, the | | | | research revealed decreased levels of the body's |
| drive, the finish, and the recovery. The following is a | | | | natural killer cells, which fight infections and tumors, |
| description of the bio-mechanics of rowing. | | | | during even the familiar stress periods of exams. |
| The catch is the start of each stroke and it is the | | | | Whether you are studying for a test or just trying to |
| moment when you place your oar into water. The | | | | cover extra bills, stress can have a negative effect |
| legs, hips and shoulders in use during the catch | | | | on health. |
| involve the following muscle groups: quadriceps, | | | | Another study from "Circulation: Journal of the |
| gastrocenius, soleus, gluteus maximus, and biceps | | | | American Heart Association'' showed that mental |
| brachii. | | | | stress can actually reduce blood flow to the heart. |
| The drive | | | | Combined with bad cholesterol and smoking the risk |
| As you begin to push with your legs, you are | | | | factor of stress on coronary heart disease patients |
| entering the drive of the stroke. During the drive | | | | was notable. |
| your l egs, back and arms are working with the | | | | Even though studies confirm stress can have |
| trapezlus, posterio deltoid, quadriceps, pectorals | | | | devastating consequences for our overall heath, we |
| major and biceps brachii muscle groups. | | | | sometimes pride ourselves on working longer and |
| The pull | | | | harder, staying on top of the competition and |
| Once the legs are fully extended, you begin to pull | | | | working late at the office. This may set us up for |
| the oar in with your arms and swing your shoulders | | | | the stress cycle. |
| backward, bringing yourself to the finish position. You | | | | To break free from the vicious stress cycle and |
| have just utilized the rest of the entire body's muscle | | | | stave off emotional fatigue and depression, try |
| groups as follows: g luteus maximus, quadriceps, | | | | regular rowing along a local waterway. Your overall |
| brachioradialis, and abdominal. | | | | health will improve as your tension melts away with |
| The recovery | | | | each breath of fresh, negative ion rich air. |
| The entire process is repeated, each movement | | | | Be environment friendly |
| flowing into the next, forming another stroke. | | | | Lastly while rowing you abstain from using an |
| Achieve fitness goals faster A University of | | | | outboard motor and can enjoy the added peace of |
| Stockholm study has confirmed the added benefits | | | | mind knowing you are not contributing the abrasive |
| of recreational activities when performed in an | | | | sounds, awful smell and heavy pollution levels of |
| outdoor setting. Many of us already suspected that | | | | outboard power boating. For further information on |
| we exercise harder with outdoor exercise without | | | | this I recommend the book "Polluting for Pleasure" by |
| feeling as tired or even like we have worked hard. | | | | Andre Mele. In 1993 his initial calculations showed that |
| We also know that the higher the exercise intensity, | | | | 50 million gallons of oil per year, or the equivalent of 5 |
| the sooner fitness goals can be reached. Achieving | | | | Exxon Valdes oil spills were being released by |
| fitness goals more quickly with the improvements | | | | pleasure boaters into the US waterways per year. In |
| that are gained such as weight loss, reduced stress | | | | the end he concluded that outboard pleasure boating |
| levels, shaping and toning are the rewards that help | | | | produces as much hydrocarbon pollution as all the |
| us stick with our workout program and continue to | | | | road vehicles in America. |
| see improvements. | | | | Aside from full body conditioning which builds lean |
| In a recent conversation with Dr. Grant Gainor, | | | | muscle mass while burning 600 calories per hour, |
| Chiropractor to local Olympic rowers and professional | | | | rowing allows you to release stress, lose weight and |
| athletes, about rowing in the real world versus on a | | | | reduce your blood pressure. It's a great opportunity |
| rowing machine, further advantages were clarified. | | | | to enjoy movement and your connection with the |
| According to Dr. Gainor, the range of motion required | | | | water as you take each stroke. It can also be the |
| when rowing on the water is dictated by the need | | | | opportunity to push yourself beyond limits you ever |
| to shift the hands at the "catch" and "release" which | | | | thought possible. |