Range of Motion

18/01/2026 8 min
Range of Motion

Listen "Range of Motion"

Episode Synopsis

Masters have to pay attention to our range of motion as we age, without it we lose stroke length and raise injury risk.
Timestamps
00:45 What this is and how to get more of it.
Masters rowing is rowing with compromises - we may be less mobile or carrying old injuries.
Our goal is full movement potential which helps our performance - with full range of movement we get longer strokes. Things which limit us are tight glutes, hamstrings or back muscles.
Injury prevention gets more important as we age - a good range of motion supported by strong musculature helps prevent injury.
Muscle capacity for the rowing movement. It's hard to teach rowing to people who cannot sit with their legs straight, who cannot get into the catch position or whose arm extension is insufficient to get the oar handle around the arc.
03:00 Things to do to improve range of motion (ROM)
Active isolated stretching is different from a traditional stretch you get movement more of the time and it's a short stretch and hold. One muscle group works (agonist) and the opposite muscle group (antagonist) is relaxing and lengthening.
https://fastermastersrowing.com/active-isolated-stretching-rowing/
04:45 Decline with age
We lose our full movement potential as age causes our bodies to change. Natural connective tissue elasticity reduces with age - strive to retain what you have; joint cartilage reduces too, and muscle flexibility lessens. Scar tissue from prior injuries may also exist.
06:00 Range of motion
Things you can do to improve - know what ROM you have at the moment. 10 tests for yourself and video exercises / stretches you can do. Free webinar
https://fastermastersrowing.com/member-register/functional-movement-assessment/
Simple changes to your rigging which help you to get into the correct rowing positions when you have movement limitations.
Adapting rowing rigging for masters physiology
https://fastermastersrowing.com/adapting-rowing-rigging-for-masters-physiology/
Start a practice to improve your range of motion - do it with your rowing friends.

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