ROW-ROW：A Balance Training Seat for Paralympic Rowing
Group entry: Playable: Zuoping Guan, Willow Tan, Ling Qi, Shaopeng Chen, Jiahao Lin.
Loughborough University, School of Design and Creative Arts.
Design description
This is an indoor balance-training device designed for para rowers, particularly athletes in the PR1 and PR2 classifications. Traditional indoor rowing machines mainly develop strength and cardiovascular fitness, but they cannot fully reproduce the lateral balance, trunk stability and weight control required on water.
PR1 and PR2 athletes have limited control of their lower limbs or trunk. They rely mainly on upper-body movement and their available trunk function during rowing, which makes it more difficult to maintain balance by adjusting their legs and body position. Practising balance directly on water may also involve risks such as capsizing, falling into the water or injury, and it is difficult to repeat the training under controlled conditions.
The product uses a movable seat supported by a ball-shaped mechanism. This allows the seat to tilt forwards, backwards and sideways around a central point, simulating the movement and instability of a rowing boat on water. During rowing or strength exercises, the athlete must actively adjust their trunk position and centre of gravity to keep the seat and body stable. This helps train trunk control, weight transfer, upper-body coordination and balance during the rowing motion.
The level of instability can be adjusted according to the athlete’s ability and stage of training. Beginners can start with a more stable setting and gradually increase the difficulty. Safety limits reduce the risk of excessive tilting or falling.
The product is not intended to replace water-based training. Instead, it transfers high-risk and difficult-to-control balance practice into a safer, adjustable and repeatable indoor environment.