1. Overall Aims The aim of this project is to develop a rowing machine sensor system which measures various parameters such as the force applied on the handle, at the foot stops and acceleration of the athlete while rowing. Sensor data is processed and displayed using LabVIEW to provide useful feedback and instruction to the rower. This project investigates the use of a range of sensors and signal processing techniques to determine the profile of the activity of the athlete while rowing. To learn how to program in LabVIEW and create a friendly user interface for the athlete and coach. Materials & Methods Hand Sensor: FSR402 Foot Sensor: FSR404 Acceleration: ADXL335 Rotation Sensor: Tachometer on flywheel of rowing machine. NI USB DAQ 6009 LabVIEW 2010 Conclusions Athletes can benefit from the use of the ROWpal as it has instantaneous visual feedback of their performance while rowing. The ROWpal system is modifiable for different abilities. Individuals can compare their results with their team members. I used a NI DAQ to change physical signals into numeric values I used LabVIEW as my software and to program my user interface. Sensor System User Interface Force Sensitive Resistor Force Sensitive Resistor are used to measure the pressure applied on the handles an at the foot stops. The athlete should aim to apply as much pressure with the foot stops and as little pressure on the handles. Results The system successfully creates an interactive environment for the athlete while rowing. The system provides visual feedback to the user. Can be personalised depending on the users ability. Data can be recorded and used by coaches when monitoring athletes progress. Accelerometer The accelerometer is used to analyse how the rower is moving through the phases of the rowing stroke. The ideal stroke has been captured and runs continuously as the rows. The idea is that the athlete will try copy the ideal stroke. Introduction Rowing demands a considerable technical quality before a high performance level can be reached. Having a good technique means sharper movement of the oar in and out of the water leading to an increase in balance across the boat thus an increase in speed. It makes no sense to train for strength, and endurance if a rower does not have the skills to use these in order to increase boat speed. For large competitive rowing boats with crews of four and eight, having the actions of the rowers in synchronicity is essential to maintaining good balance, fluid strokes and optimal performance. LabVIEW A LabVIEW user interface displays the results while the athlete is rowing. The results are displayed with lights thus encouraging the athlete to reach their target by turning on the lights and staying below the threshold. The accelerometer is displayed differently the aim is that the athlete will try to follow the ideal waveform this perfecting their own stoke cycle. Further Developments Extra sensors could be placed in the system e.g. Gyroscope to give more information on the athletes technique. User interface could be customised to give more efficient feedback to each user. Each athlete could have their own individual log in password. Acknowledgments The author would like to thank Dr. Fearghal Morgan (NUI, Galway), and the Senior Technical Officers Mr Martin Burke and Mr Myles Meehan. FSR attached on to the rowing machine handle. FSR attached onto the foot stops on the rowing machine.