Editorial: Advances in Rowing Physiology

Abstract

Almost 100 years ago, it was considered that “the rowing of a crew in a racing shell with sliding seats is a form of exercise in which a greater total energy expenditure is attainable, for periods of five to 20 min, than under any other conditions. No other exertion comes so near to bringing the entire muscle mass of the body into maximal extension and contraction” (Henderson and Haggard, 1925). Since then many studies confirmed this notion and showcased rowing as “the ultimate challenge to the human body” (Volianitis and Secher, 2009). The articles in this Research Topic address a range of questions relevant not only to Olympic rowing performance, but also to the recently increasingly popular indoor rowing.