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The prevalence, incidence and severity of low back pain among international-level rowers
Abstract
There is a paucity of prospective cohort studies investigating the incidence of low back pain (LBP) in rowing. We investigated (1) the prevalence and incidence of LBP among international-level rowers in New Zealand, (2) the relationship between training volume and LBP and (3) the effect of LBP on rowers' ability to train and compete.
This was a prospective cohort study of 76 New Zealand representative rowers, including 46 men (mean age 22, SD=4) and 30 women (mean age 21, SD=4). Data were collected using an online questionnaire repeated monthly for 12 months.
The prevalence of LBP ranged from 6% to 25% throughout the year. The incidence of episodes of LBP was 1.67 per 1000 exposure-hours. A total of 72 episodes of LBP were reported by 40 rowers (53%) during 12 months. Of these, 45% had an incidental effect on training. 29% minor, 18% moderate and 9% had a major effect as determined by the length of time the training was interrupted. There was a high correlation between new LBP and total training hours per month (r=0.83, p<0.01). A previous history of LBP was a risk factor in developing new LBP (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.48, p=0.01). Age was also a risk factor, with the likelihood of developing LBP increasing for every year (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15, p=0.02).
LBP is common among New Zealand representative rowers. There is a high correlation between training load and the development of LBP.
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... Our ndings regarding the 7-day point prevalence (55.0%) are in line with current literature, where prevalence ranged from 25 to 65%, whereas pain rates for the last 12 months (85.0%) were signi cantly higher (ranges from 26-55%) [24][25][26][27][28] . First, this could be due to a small sample size and in uenced by the time point of examination. ...
... Decreased T1 relaxation correlates with a higher fatty in ltration of the skeletal muscle [39] , possibly re ecting lower tness level due to lower training volume. This is supported by ndings of Trompeter et al. [29] and Newlands et al. [27] , in which training volume was signi cantly associated with higher rates of LBP. ...
Objectives:
To assess demographic data, training characteristics and low back pain (LBP) in male adolescent elite rowers, visualize structural changes in the lumbar skeletal muscle with quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) and correlate findings to reported long- and short-term pain intensity.
Methods:
In this single-center case series, twenty male elite rowers completed a questionnaire for retrieval of anthropometric data, training characteristics and a standardized back pain questionnaire. Participants then underwent MR imaging, which included the acquisition of T1- and T2-mapping sequences and Dixon-based sequences for the Erector spinae (ES) and Multifidus (MF) muscle. Reported short- and long-term pain intensity was correlated to relaxation times and training characteristics.
Results:
Short-term pain intensity was associated with shorter T1 relaxation (p = 0.025 and p 0.022 for ES and MF, respectively) and longer T2 relaxation times (p < 0.001 for ES and MF, respectively), while long-term pain intensity was associated to longer T2 relaxation times (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 for ES and MF, respectively).
Conclusion:
Competitive adolescent rowers are at risk about developing LBP. qMRI parameters provide insight in structural changes in the lumbar skeletal muscle which are linked to reported short- and long-term pain intensity, indicating that muscular strains can account for LBP.
... Given the high recurrence rates seen in Gaelic football there is the possibility that full recovery has never been achieved from the initial injury and that players continue to play with some symptoms. Such observations in back pain have been made in other sports such as rowing (Newlands et al., 2015). Therefore to understand the true extent of back injury in the sport, future epidemiological research into athletic back pain should consider broader injury definitions such as seeking medical attention or reduced performance as outlined by the International Olympic Committee (Bahr et al., 2020). ...
Objectives
To describe the epidemiology of back injury in elite male Gaelic football athletes between 2008-2016.
Design
Prospective cohort study.
Setting
Injury data from the National GAA Injury Surveillance Database.
Participants
Elite male Gaelic football athletes.
Main outcome measures
Incidence of injury as a rate per 1000 hours of exposure.
Results
38 datasets were analysed. Out of a total of 1606 time-loss injuries, 76 were back injuries (4.73%, 95% CI 3.80%–5.88%). The incidence of back injuries in match play was 1.72 (CI 95% 1.21 to 2.45) and in training was 0.2 (CI 95% 0.14 to 0.28) injuries per 1000 hours of exposure. The majority of back injuries (63.16%, CI 95% 51.93–73.12) were new, as opposed to recurrent (35.53% CI 95% 25.7–46.74). Most back injuries were acute (51.32%, CI 95% 40.29–62.22), compared to chronic (31.58%, CI 95% 22.23–42.7) or overuse (11.84%, CI 95% 6.36–21.00). The majority back injuries occurred during non-contact player activities (n = 60, 78.94% CI 95% 68.50–86.60).
Conclusions
Back injury rates in Gaelic football are similar to soccer and Australian football but less than rugby union. Further research is needed to understand the factors leading to the onset and recurrence of back injury in Gaelic football athletes.
... Subsequently, the rowers prepare for the next drive phase by flexing the lower limbs and trunk while placing the blades of the oars in the air in the recovery phase. Rowers often experience low back pain due to the repeated rowing motions (1)(2)(3). Therefore, there have been several studies on the activity of the trunk muscles surrounding the lumbar spine during the rowing motion (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). ...
This study aimed to clarify the changes in the activity of the trunk and lower limb muscles during 2000-m rowing. Ten male rowers performed a 2000-m race simulation on a rowing ergometer. Electromyography results of the abdominal muscles, back muscles, gluteus maximus (GMax), biceps femoris (BF), and rectus femoris (RF) were recorded. The electromyographic activity during the three strokes after the start (initial stage), at 1000m (middle stage), and before the end (final stage) were analyzed. From the handle position, the rowing motion was divided into five phases (early-drive, middle-drive, late-drive, early-recovery, and late-recovery). The peak activities of the abdominal muscles, back muscles, GMax, and BF in each stroke of the rowing motion were delayed at the middle and final stages compared to the initial stage (P<0.05). The peak activity of the RF was observed in the late-drive phase at the initial stage, whereas a high RF activity was observed in the middle-drive phase at the middle and final stages (P<0.05). Considering the results of the activity of the back muscles and RF, RF muscular endurance enhancement may lead to a decrease in the load on the back muscles and help prevent muscular low back pain in rowers. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 45-50, February, 2022.
Identifying non-specific low back pain (LBP) in medico-administrative databases is a major challenge because of the number and heterogeneity of existing diagnostic codes and the absence of standard definitions to use as reference. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of algorithms for the identification of non-specific LBP from medico-administrative data using self-report information as the reference standard. Self-report data came from the PROspective Québec Study on Work and Health, a 24-year prospective cohort study of white-collar workers. All diagnostic codes that could be associated with non-specific LBP were identified from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and 10) in physician and hospital claims. Seven algorithms for identifying non-specific LBP were built and compared to self-report information. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted using more stringent definitions of LBP. There were 5980 study participants with (n = 2847) and without (n = 3133) LBP included in the analyses. An algorithm that included at least one diagnostic code for non-specific LBP was best to identify cases of LBP in medico-administrative data with sensitivity varying between 8.9% (95%CI 7.9-10.0) for a one-year window to 21.5% (95%CI 20.0-23.0) for a three-year window. Specificity varied from 97.1% (95%CI 96.5-97.7) for a one-year to 90.4% (95%CI 89.4-91.5) for a three-year window. The low sensitivity we found reveals that the identification of non-specific LBP cases in administrative data is limited, possibly due to the lack of traditional medical consultation.
Background
Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent in the rowing population. The body of existing research variously investigates risk factors, prevention, and treatment methods.
Purpose
The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the breadth and depth of the LBP literature in rowing and to identify areas for future research.
Study Design
Scoping review
Methods
PubMed, Ebsco and ScienceDirect were searched from inception to November 1, 2020. Only published, peer-reviewed, primary, and secondary data pertaining to LBP in rowing were included for this study. Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for guided data synthesis was used. Reporting quality of a subsection of the data was assessed using the STROBE tool.
Results
Following the removal of duplicates and abstract screening, a set of 78 studies were included and divided into the following categories: epidemiology, biomechanics, biopsychosocial, and miscellaneous. The incidence and prevalence of LBP in rowers were well mapped. The biomechanical literature covered a wide range of investigations with limited cohesion. Significant risk factors for LBP in rowers included back pain history and prolonged ergometer use.
Conclusion
A lack of consistent definitions within the studies caused fragmentation of the literature. There was good evidence for prolonged ergometer use and history of LBP to constitute risk factors and this may assist future LBP preventative action. Methodological issues such as small sample size and barriers to injury reporting increased heterogeneity and decreased data quality. Further exploration is required to determine the mechanism of LBP in rowers through research with larger samples.
Objectives
Rowing, when practiced as a sport, is currently typically conducted on sliding-seat boats which permit efficient lower limb use. Nevertheless, traditional fixed-seat rowing, with its own particular technique, is experiencing a revival and competitions utilizing this technique are held on a regular basis around the world. This paper investigated injuries sustained by competitive fixed-seat rowers when compared to rowers using the more widely studied sliding-seat technique.
Method
Two cohorts of male rowers, who train and compete on fixed-seat and sliding seat boats at national levels were asked to fill in a questionnaire looking into musculoskeletal injuries sustained as a result of their particular rowing style. Portuguese sliding-seat rowers rowed standard World Rowing (FISA) approved boats whilst fixed-seat rowers from Malta used traditional wooden boats and oars. Injury probabilities between the two cohorts were compared.
Results
Statistically significant diminution, P = 0.022, of knee injuries in the fixed-seat group was observed when compared to standard sliding-seat rowing, something which may be explained from the biomechanics of the stroke. Also, pelvic, other lower limb, neck and rib injuries were absent in the fixed-seat cohort. The incidence of back, shoulder, forearm and wrist injuries was comparable in both groups despite the increased reliance on the upper body, in the fixed-seat stroke. This means that contrary to common perception, fixed-seat rowing is a safe sport to practice. Furthermore, with its reduced risk of lower limb injuries, this technique could potentially form part of rehabilitation programs for rowers with such injuries.
Objectives
(1) To determine the prevalence of spine and upper limb osteoarthritis (OA) and pain in retired Olympians; (2) identify risk factors associated with their occurrence and (3) compare with a sample of the general population.
Methods
3357 retired Olympians (44.7 years) and 1735 general population controls (40.5 years) completed a cross-sectional survey. The survey captured demographics, general health, self-reported physician-diagnosed OA, current joint/region pain and significant injury (lasting ≥1 month). Adjusted ORs (aORs) compared retired Olympians and the general population.
Results
Overall, 40% of retired Olympians reported experiencing current joint pain. The prevalence of lumbar spine pain was 19.3% and shoulder pain 7.4%, with lumbar spine and shoulder OA 5.7% and 2.4%, respectively. Injury was associated with increased odds (aOR, 95% CI) of OA and pain at the lumbar spine (OA=5.59, 4.01 to 7.78; pain=4.90, 3.97 to 6.05), cervical spine (OA=17.83, 1.02 to 31.14; pain=9.41, 6.32 to 14.01) and shoulder (OA=4.91, 3.03 to 7.96; pain=6.04, 4.55 to 8.03) in retired Olympians. While the odds of OA did not differ between Olympians and the general population, the odds of lumbar spine pain (1.44, 1.20 to 1.73), the odds of shoulder OA after prior shoulder injury (2.64, 1.01 to 6.90) and the odds of cervical spine OA in female Olympians (2.02, 1.06 to 3.87) were all higher for Olympians compared with controls.
Conclusions
One in five retired Olympians reported experiencing current lumbar spine pain. Injury was associated with lumbar spine, cervical spine and shoulder OA and pain for Olympians. Although overall OA odds did not differ, after adjustment for recognised risk factors, Olympians were more likely to have lumbar spine pain and shoulder OA after shoulder injury, than the general population.
Background
Repetitive loading of the back puts elite rowers at risk for acute and chronic back injuries.
Hypothesis
That asymptomatic elite rowers would demonstrate characteristic intervertebral disk (IVD) alterations on T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mapping compared with asymptomatic nonrowers.
Study Design
Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.
Methods
This study included 20 asymptomatic elite rowers (mean age, 23.4 ± 3.03 years; 9 women, 11 men) studied at 2 different times, once before ( t 1 ) and once after ( t 2 ) the competition phase. MRI including T2* mapping was performed on a 3-T scanner. The authors derived normative T2* data from a previous study on 40 asymptomatic volunteers (20 men, 20 women) who were not competitive rowers; based on complete T2* data sets, 37 controls were included. T2* values were compared between groups in 4 lumbar IVDs, and midsagittal T2* values were compared in 5 zones: anterior annulus fibrosus (AF), anterior nucleus pulposus (NP), central NP, posterior NP, and posterior AF. The Pfirrmann grade was used for morphological assessment of disk degeneration. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
Results
Lower T2* values were noted in the rower group compared with the controls (37.08 ± 33.63 vs 45.59 ± 35.73 ms, respectively; P < .001). The intersegmental comparison revealed lower mean T2* values among rowers ( P ≤ .027 for all). The interzonal comparison indicated significantly lower mean T2* values for the rowers in all zones except for the anterior NP ( P ≤ .008 for all). Lower mean T2* values were observed for the rowers at t 1 versus t 2 (39.25 ± 36.19 vs 43.97 ± 38.67 ms, respectively; P = .008). The authors noted a higher level of IVD damage according to Pfirrmann assessment in the rower cohort ( P < .001); the Pfirrmann grade distributions of rowers versus controls, respectively, were as follows: 51.3% versus 73.7% (grade 1), 20.5% versus 19.5% (grade 2), 21.8% versus 6.8% (grade 3), 5.1% versus 0% (grade 4), and 1.3% versus 0% (grade 5). The authors also noted a correlation between low T2* and high Pfirrmann grade at t 1 ( r =–0.48; P < .001) and t 2 ( r =–0.71; P < .001).
Conclusion
The cohort of elite rowers revealed more degenerative IVD changes compared with controls. The T2* values suggest that repetitive loading of the spine has demonstrable short-term and possibly permanent effects on the lumbar IVD.
Background:
Rowing requires synchronized, forceful and repetitive muscular movement to propel the boat towards the finish point. This makes rowers prone to musculoskeletal discomfort. The etiology of such musculoskeletal discomfort is multifactorial in nature. Therefore, risk assessment is essential for encouraging enhanced performances.
Objective:
The present study was undertaken to decipher the prevalent areas of discomfort, identify risk factors contributing to discomforts among young Indian rowers and propose a model for the causative factors of discomfort to monitor their performances.
Methods:
A self-constructed questionnaire was framed and administered at state level competition. To identify the likely commonalities, the response matrix was subjected to Factor Analysis (FA). Subsequently, Principal Component Regression (PCR) was carried out to identify the influence of ergonomic risk factors with rowing performance parameters.
Results:
The study identified three major factors: Imprecision Related Factors' (ImRF), 'Occupation Related Factors' (ORF) and 'Individual Related Factors' (IRF). The study suggests changes to the training strategies for reducing discomforts from ergonomics risk factors.
Conclusions:
The study quantifies major risk factors with the highest loading and proposes an interpretive model. This will be beneficial for formulating the training frameworks and to prepare guidelines for rowers to refrain from discomforts consequently, enhancing performance.
In elite sport, inertial measurement units (IMUs) are being used increasingly to measure movement in-field. IMU data commonly sought are body segment angles as this gives insights into how technique can be altered to improve performance and reduce injury risk. The purpose of this was to assess the validity of IMU use in rowing and identify if IMUs are capable of detecting differences in sagittal torso and pelvis angles that result from changes in stroke rates. Eight elite female rowers participated. Four IMUs were positioned along the torso and over the pelvis of each athlete. Reflective markers surrounded each IMU which were used to compute gold-standard data. Maxima, minima, angle range, and waveforms for ten strokes at rates of 20, 24, 28, and 32 strokes per minute were analysed. Root mean square errors as a percentage of angle range fell between 1.44 and 8.43%. In most cases when significant differences (p < 0.05) in the angles were detected between stroke rates, this was observed in both IMU and gold-standard angle data. These findings suggest IMUs are valid for measuring torso and pelvis angles when rowing, and are capable of detecting differences that result from changes in stroke rate.
The most commonly reported injury site in rowers is the lower back. Research in recent years has focused on epidemiology and biomechanical analyses to try and understand mechanisms that contribute to this injury's onset. Injury surveillance mainly comprises retrospective questionnaires and reviews of medical records with a lack of prospective data. Of studies that reported 12-month data, the incidence of low back pain ranged from 31.8 to 51% of the cohort. Of the limited studies that specifically examined low back pain in rowers, (1) history of lumbar spine injury and (2) volume of ergometer training were the most significant risk factors for injury onset. Studies of technique on the rowing ergometer have indicated the importance of lumbopelvic rotation during rowing. Greater pelvic rotation at either end of the stroke is ideal-as opposed to lumbar flexion and extension; this tends to be poorly demonstrated in novice rowers on ergometers. Furthermore, technique can deteriorate with the demands of rowing intensity and duration, which puts the rower returning from injury at additional risk.
Background:
The Olympic Movement Medical Code encourages all stakeholders to ensure that sport is practised without danger to the health of the athletes. Systematic surveillance of injuries and illnesses is the foundation for developing preventive measures in sport.
Aim:
To analyse the injuries and illnesses that occurred during the Games of the XXX Olympiad, held in London in 2012.
Methods:
We recorded the daily occurrence (or non-occurrence) of injuries and illnesses (1) through the reporting of all National Olympic Committee (NOC) medical teams and (2) in the polyclinic and medical venues by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games' (LOCOG) medical staff.
Results:
In total, 10 568 athletes (4676 women and 5892 men) from 204 NOCs participated in the study. NOC and LOCOG medical staff reported 1361 injuries and 758 illnesses, equalling incidences of 128.8 injuries and 71.7 illnesses per 1000 athletes. Altogether, 11% and 7% of the athletes incurred at least one injury or illness, respectively. The risk of an athlete being injured was the highest in taekwondo, football, BMX, handball, mountain bike, athletics, weightlifting, hockey and badminton, and the lowest in archery, canoe slalom and sprint, track cycling, rowing, shooting and equestrian. 35% of the injuries were expected to prevent the athlete from participating during competition or training. Women suffered 60% more illnesses than men (86.0 vs 53.3 illnesses per 1000 athletes). The rate of illness was the highest in athletics, beach volleyball, football, sailing, synchronised swimming and taekwondo. A total of 310 illnesses (41%) affected the respiratory system and the most common cause of illness was infection (n=347, 46%).
Conclusions:
At least 11% of the athletes incurred an injury during the games and 7% of the athletes' an illness. The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially among sports. Future initiatives should include the development of preventive measures tailored for each specific sport and the continued focus among sport bodies to institute and further develop scientific injury and illness surveillance systems.
Rowing should become the favourite sport of our young people as no other exercise can provide them with the physical and moral qualities that they need: energy, initiative and health —Pierre de Coubertin The FISA Sports Medicine Commission advises the FISA Council and member federations on rowing-related sports medicine issues. Rowing has been part of the Olympic programme since 1896; women’s rowing was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1976 and the lightweight category was included in 1996. The first World Championships for ‘Adaptive’ (persons with a disability) rowers was in 2002. Rowing was introduced into the programme of the Paralympic Games of 2008. Clinical issues in rowing Most rowing biomechanical and physiological research has been performed on rowing machines (‘ergometers’) on which rowers can closely mimic the movement of the rowing stroke. There has been less research on boats in water. Most rowing injuries are due to overuse/overload or poor mechanics. Lower back pain, wrist tendon disorders and rib stress fractures are the most common injuries reported. There has been a well-documented increase in the incidence of these injuries since the 1991 introduction of the hatchet ‘big’ blades. Lightweight rowing, where athletes compete within defined weight limits, shares many of the problems associated with other weight-controlled sports. The Sports …
Objectives
To establish the inter and intra-rater reliability of the Netball Movement Screening tool (NMST), for screening adolescent female netball players.
Design:Inter and intra-rater reliability study.
Methods
Forty secondary school netball players were recruited to take part in the study. Twenty subjects were screened simultaneously and independently by two raters to ascertain inter-rater agreement. Twenty subjects were scored by rater one on two occasions, separated by a week, to ascertain intra-rater agreement. Inter and intra-rater agreement was assessed utilizing the two-way mixed ICC and weighted kappa statistics.
Results
No significant demographic differences were found between the inter and intra-rater groups of subjects. ICC's demonstrated excellent inter-rater (ICC2,1 0.84, SEM 0.25) and intra-rater (ICC2,1 0.96, SEM 0.13) reliability for the overall NMST score and substantial–excellent (ICC2,1 1.0- 0.65) inter-rater and substantial-excellent intra-rater (ICC2,1 0.96- 0.79) reliability for the component scores of the NMST. Kappa statistic showed substantial to poor inter-rater (k = 0.75-0.32) and intra-rater (k = 0.77-0.27) agreement for individual tests of the NMST.
Conclusion
The NMST may be a reliable screening tool for adolescent netball players; however the individual test scores have low reliability. The screening tool can be administered reliably by raters with similar levels of training in the tool but variable clinical experience. On-going research needs to be undertaken to ascertain whether the NMST is a valid tool in ascertaining increased injury risk for netball players.
Little is known about the true extent and severity of overuse injuries in sport, largely because of methodological challenges involved in recording them. This study assessed the prevalence of overuse injuries among Norwegian athletes from five sports using a newly developed method designed specifically for this purpose. The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire was distributed weekly by e-mail to 45 cross-country skiers, 98 cyclists, 50 floorball players, 55 handball players, and 65 volleyball players for 13 weeks. The prevalence of overuse problems at the shoulder, lower back, knee, and anterior thigh was monitored throughout the study and summary measures of an injury severity score derived from athletes' questionnaire responses were used to gauge the relative impact of overuse problems in each area. The area where overuse injuries had the greatest impact was the knee in volleyball where, on average, 36% of players had some form of complaint (95% CI 32-39%). Other prevalent areas included the shoulder in handball (22%, 95% CI 16-27%) the knee in cycling (23%, 95% CI 17-28%), and the knee and lower back in floorball (27%, 95% CI 24-31% and 29%, 95% CI 25-33%, respectively).
INTRODUCTION: Biomechanical measures of movement are being used increasingly to understand injury mechanisms and enhance performance. Frequently, rowing injuries are attributed to poor rowing technique. This suggests a need to understand technique and its influencing factors. This study aimed to quantify rowing technique in terms of lumbopelvic motion, force production, and work done at different work intensities. METHODS: An electromagnetic motion measuring device in conjunction with a load cell was used to determine the ergometer rowing kinematics of 12 elite international oarswomen during a routine step test. This test comprised six steps at a series of different stroke ratings starting at 18 strokes per minute and ending at maximal-output rowing. RESULTS: As work intensity increased, force output increased significantly (P < 0.0001). Stroke length remained relatively consistent throughout the steps, although there was a nonsignificant shortening from 136.5 cm (+/-6.4 SD) at 18 strokes per minute to 130.6 cm (+/-8.1) at maximal testing. Changes in kinematics were also observed, particularly at the catch and finish positions. There was a trend towards less anterior pelvic rotation occurring at the catch with an associated reduction in lumbar rotation and greater extensions occurring in both at the finish at the higher rating. Overall, rowers underutilized pelvic rotation to achieve these positions relying predominantly on lumbar rotation. CONCLUSION: This study quantified the spinal kinematics of elite rowers at different incremental work intensities and noted subtle but important changes to lumbopelvic and spinal kinematics at increasing work levels, particularly at maximal intensity. Such changes particularly are thought to be important with respect to the development of low-back pain
Background
Research has shown that 32% of intercollegiate rowers develop back pain during their college career.
Hypothesis
Rowers who develop back pain in college are more likely than the general population to have back pain later in life.
Study Design
Survey.
Methods
Surveys from 1561 former intercollegiate rowing athletes were analyzed. Subjects who completed the surveys had graduated from college at a mean and median of 13 years previously, with a range of 0 to 20 years between graduation and completion of the survey. The survey was designed to determine the presence of back pain and its severity before, during, and after intercollegiate rowing. Back pain was defined as pain that lasted at least 1 week.
Results
Age was a significant predictor of back pain after college. Nevertheless, the lifetime prevalence of back pain in former intercollegiate rowers was no different from that of the general population (51.4% versus 60% to 80%). However, rowers who developed back pain in college had more subsequent back pain than rowers who were asymptomatic in college (78.9% versus 37.9%). Rowers who were asymptomatic in college had significantly lower rates of back pain as they aged than did the general population. The mean severity of current back pain was 3.5 ± 1.9 on a scale of 1 to 10.
Conclusions
Intercollegiate rowers are no more likely than the general population to have back pain later in life.
In this study, we examined the relationships between low back pain, hamstring flexibility, and lumbar flexion in rowers. Twenty-six male university rowers participated. Hamstring flexibility was assessed using an adjusted straight leg raise technique, and lumbar flexion was assessed via a distraction of skin marks protocol while long sitting. A questionnaire ascertained rowing details and low back pain characteristics. Low back pain was highly prevalent. No association was observed between low back pain and hamstring flexibility, or between hamstring flexibility and lumbar flexion. Sufferers of low back pain showed reduced lumbar flexion (P=0.03; 95% confidence interval = − 3.7 to −0.2). Results obtained using the adjusted straight leg raise technique suggested that low back pain was not associated with hamstring inflexibility, which suggests that increasing hamstring flexibility for rehabilitation or prevention of low back pain in rowers might not be necessary.