Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle efficiency

Shawn Baker wrote:
} Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle efficiency
> 
> I would agree that biomechanically, a high aspect ratio paddle is more
> efficient for paddling long distances.   It is not a fact of fluid
> mechanics though--once you're talking about calorie usage and human
> efficiency, you have ceased to discuss pure fluid mechanics.  

I find this a little hard to believe - how does your body feel the
shape of the blade to know that it is a high aspect ratio blade?
More to the point, what is it about a high aspect ratio paddle that
makes it more "biomechanically efficient", as you say? 

Are you talking about stroke rate?  If so, why would not a smaller,
shorter low aspect ratio blade be equivalent?

The aspect ratio influence comes in via fluid mechanics or not at 
all, IMHO.  I just can't see a biomechanical effect that can't be
reduced to something else like stroke rate or the force you use
to move the paddle (usually related anyway).


It's also not terribly clear what biomechanical efficiency is.  I
would tend to define it her as calories burned / power delivered to
the paddle (since we're clearly excluding fluid mechanics), but I'm
wondering if you mean instead least long-term stress on your body over
a long paddle, or else least energy expended to travel a long distance,
both of which would probably be at a very different cadence than best
efficiency.


-- 
Bob Myers                          Verado
Email: bob.myers_at_verado.com        18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 550
Phone: 949-851-8250 x227           Irvine, CA 92612
                   http://www.verado.com/
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