Think about that. You can generate a huge, but brief spike in the force time curve, corresponding to massive peak power, and not move a boat fast. So physiology constrains the total area under the force time curve. That is not difficult to buy into. However, the next step may be harder to take.
Physiology also has a lot to say about the optimal shape of that force time curve.
Next I am going to present three composite force time curves which represent different rowing styles that are observed among rowers. The force curves represent what is happening at the handles or oarlocks, not the force vector contributing to forward propulsion. What is happening at the handles describes the force production of the rower, and that is what matters physiologically. We will connect that with the impact of an arcing blade on propulsion momentarily. If we try to copy the first aspect of the robot rowing curve above, the instantaneous peak power onset at the catch, then we are talking about focusing on very rapid and explosive engagement of the legs.