Examining effects of acoustic feedback on perception and modification of movement patterns in on-water rowing training

This paper describes a concept for providing acoustic feedback during on-water training to elite rowers and its implementation into the training process. The final aim was to improve the mean boat velocity by a reduction of intra-cyclic interruptions in the boat acceleration. It was assumed to enhance athletes' perception for the modification of movement patterns and control in technique training because sound conveys time-critical structures subliminally. That is of crucial importance for the precision of modifying movements to improve their execution. Advances in technology allow the design for innovative feedback systems to communicate feedback information audibly to athletes. The acoustic feedback system Sofirow was designed and field-tested with elite athletes. The device presents the boat acceleration-time trace audibly and online to athletes and coaches. The results showed a significant increase in the mean boat velocity during the sections with acoustic feedback compared to the sections without. It is thus very supportive to implement acoustic feedback regularly into training processes for elite athletes. A behavioral dynamics approach was invoked to provide a theoretical basis for this concept.