On 11 Jun 2003 at 12:16, Steve Brown wrote: > Although there is no question in my mind as to the outcome, the way to > prove this is not through mathematics, but through measurements. The lab data I was referring to is measurements. > measuring the force x distance applied to different paddles when > propelling a particular boat at a particular speed, one could answer > the question definitively. Unfortunately, the instrumentation required > for that would be fairly complex, and may inhibit normal use of the > paddles. [...] > instrumentation is simpler, and it takes all effects into account. Is > anyone on the list familiar with current techniques for measuring > oxygen uptake? I think it would be easier to instrument the paddle and get realistic measures than to do O2 uptake measurements. Unless the equipment for doing O2 uptake a shrunk considerably in the past couple of decades, the test for it would require a paddler in a fixed kayak. This would not be as realistic as a moving kayak. I bet that the sports research journals already have such data published for competitive paddlers in some form or other. Another problem with introducing a paddler to the test is that the paddler's performance variations may be greater than the paddle variations. That's what make an Iron Byron better. OTOH, slapping strain guages all over a paddle and calibrating it would be easier, since you could read the guages in real time with a laptop computer in a waterproof case (well, a few other bits as well...). Another option - Kirk (IIRC) once sent me a reference to a pressure-sensitive fabric that he hypothesized could be adapted to covering a paddle blade and measuring pressure distributions in real time. Measuring the paddle directly means that the paddler's performance is less significant and the Iron Byron approach is less important. The last time I slapped strain guages all over something and did tests, the computer available filled a room the size of a one-car garage, had 32k of memory (and a 5MB disk drive the size of a washing machine) and had less ooomph than the watch I now have on my wrist. Either way, the solution requires $$$. That's why noodling on the back of an envelope suffices for now. :-) Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jun 11 2003 - 13:11:51 PDT
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