Cadence Training for Dragon Boat

I recently used an metronome app and used it for cadence training for the teams I have been training with
and the results I must say have been particularly impressive.

Metronome training has traditionally been used for musicians such as guitarists, drummers to keep a consistent rythm for the beats of songs that they are playing especially for live events. I have seen many physical versions that require the metronome to be attached to a earphone and the drummer uses it to catch the beat per minute of the set.

Screen capture of the mobile metronome

Using a bluetooth speaker to amplify the volume of the metronome app on my trusty Xperia Z, my paddlers have been able to generate increased performance of over 10% within 2 sessions of using it. They find it a clearer assessment of the ability to gauge a constant pace and they are better able to judge pulling faster through the water to engage the next stroke. I have seen more consistent efforts at low ratings to generate more efficiency and synchronisation for every stroke applied to the water.

I never really expected to use this until I came across an article on cadence training in cycling which made alot of sense in cycling to increase performances at low cycling rates while improving on the effectiveness of the cycling technique.

Many of these sports apply similar principles in cadence training to improve performances over the long run.

I hope to see more benefits of using the metronome in time to come.

For those who are interested in getting the app, it is free on the Play Store for Android Phones - Mobile Metronome.