Ohio State rowing team uses data to tune boats
The Buckeyes employ telemetry systems and engineering analysis to customize equipment for individual athletes, moving beyond traditional coaching methods.
By Mariam Saleh ·
Eight rowers sit in a single shell, yet their physical differences alter how they transfer force through their oars. Ohio State University is addressing these variations by combining engineering principles with athletic performance data to optimize boat setup.
The program utilizes Peach PowerLine, a telemetry system that tracks every stroke. This technology provides coaches with granular details on how each athlete applies force during movement. The data allows staff to measure variables that were previously assessed only by a coach’s eye or a rower’s intuition.
Emilia Fritz, a former Buckeye and current assistant coach, serves as the data optimization engineer for the team. She stated that the primary objective is to make the experience highly individualized for every athlete. "How personalized you could make a rowing boat is something that people probably would overlook," Fritz said.
The team adjusts rigging configurations to suit specific body types and strengths. Fritz noted that there are roughly 20 variables involved in setting up a boat. The coaching staff tests different configurations to identify the most efficient setup for each seat.
Sophomore Katerina Dohnalová, a physics major, began rowing at age 11. She now recognizes the mechanics behind her early coaching advice regarding team synchronization. When rowers apply force in the same direction simultaneously, their efforts combine to move the shell more efficiently. Dohnalová said she initially learned physics through the sport and is now studying the principles formally in the classroom.
Giulia Zaffanella, a mechanical engineering student, emphasized the importance of these technical details. She said she can feel when the boat is not performing properly, but the collected data helps identify specific equipment or technique adjustments. "The more it is personalized, the more you will be efficient," Zaffanella said.
Fritz cautioned that data should not be the sole basis for decision making. The team integrates athlete feedback with numerical results because data can occasionally be inaccurate. Dohnalová pointed to the ergometer, an indoor rowing machine, as an example of a limitation. "The ergs don’t float," she said, noting that land-based strength does not always translate to speed on water due to balance and synchronization factors.
