Rowing
The biomechanics of rowing are complex and many variables contribute to the speed of the boat. A number of body segments must work simultaneously. High forces are generated at several specific points of loading on the rower’s body. Owing to the cyclical movement pattern and high volume of training, these forces are repeated thousands of times during a typical training session. This combination of high forces acting on the rower, large training volume and type of training places the rower at risk of numerous types of injury.
Background
Rowing was first used as a means of transport in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. As a sport, it began in England in the 17th and early 18th centuries, with the Oxford-Cambridge university boat race in the United Kingdom, which was inaugurated in 1828. Rowing is divided into two disciplines: sculling and sweep rowing. In sculling, each rower holds two oars—one in each hand, while in sweep rowing each rower holds one oar with both hands. There are several boat classes in which athletes may compete, ranging from single sculls, occupied by one person, to shells with eight rowers and a coxswain, called eights.
Common Injuries
Lumbar Back Pain
Lumbar back pain can result from a strain to muscles or tendons in the back. Other causes include arthritis, structural problems and disk injuries, Up to 53% of rowing injuries are related to it, and in 12 months of rowing 32-52% of athletes are expected to experience rowing-related low back pain. A good coach should ensure that athletes move from their hips and not the lower back. In addition, the spine should not be rigidly straight, rather it is meant to be relaxed as a smooth arch.
Stress Fractures of the Ribs
Stress fractures, also called hairline fractures, are tiny cracks in a bone. They can be caused by repetitive force, often from athletic overuse. Though rare among non-rowers, stress fractures of the ribs are frequently experienced among rowing athletes due to the repetitive load lifting of strokes. Rib stress fractures affect areas of bone that have been weakened due to excessive, high-impact use and cause pain in the chest.
Iliotibial Band (IT Band) Friction Syndrome
The iliotibial band (IT band) is a band of connective tissue that connects the pelvis to the tibia; it runs across the knee and helps to stabilize it. However, excessive knee bending causes irritating friction as the IT band rubs against the outside of the knee. This results in localized pain and inflammation.
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Common Symptoms
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Hip pain: Your iliotibial band repeatedly rubs against your greater trochanteric in your hip. The friction causes inflammation in your tendon and pain in your hip. You might hear a snapping sound.
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Clicking sensations: You might feel a snap, pop or click on the outside of your knee.
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Knee pain: Your tense iliotibial band repeatedly rubs against your lateral epicondyle when you flex and extend your knee. The friction causes inflammation in your tendon and pain in your knee.
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Warmth and redness: The outside of your knee might look discolored and feel warm to the touch.
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Treatment:
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Rest
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Pain medications
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Manual therapy
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Physical therapy
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Posture training
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Steroid injections
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Surgery
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Prevention
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Proper conditioning.
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Slow increase of activity.
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Fix your form: Ask an instructor to double check your form and make sure you aren’t using and overloading the wrong muscles
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Stretch enough and make sure you have enough mobility
