Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
An Inertial Measurement Unit Based Method to Estimate Hip and Knee Joint Kinematics in Team Sport Athletes on the Field
Published on: May 26, 2020
Traumatic and overuse injuries among international elite junior rowers
Tomislav Smoljanovic1, Ivan Bojanic, Jo A Hannafin
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb University, Salata 7, Zagreb 10000, Croatia. drsmoljanovic@yahoo.com
Background:
Junior rowers have competed internationally for over 4 decades, and there are no epidemiological data available on traumatic and overuse injury in this population.
Objective:
To define the types of musculoskeletal problems present in international elite-level junior rowers and to determine whether gender, physical stature, rowing discipline, and training programs affect the incidence of reported injuries.
Study Design:
Descriptive epidemiology study.
Methods:
Injury data were obtained from a total of 398 rowers (42% female, 58% male) who completed a 4-page questionnaire on injury incidence while participating at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Beijing, People's Republic of China, in August 2007.
Results:
Overall, 290 (73.8%) reported injuries involved overuse, and 103 (26.2%) were related to a single traumatic event. Female rowers were injured more frequently than male rowers (110.2 vs 90.5 injuries per 100 rowers). In both genders, the most common injury site was the low back followed by the knee and the forearm/wrist. The severity of reported injuries was incidental in 65.1%, minor in 21.4%, moderate in 10.4%, and major in 3.1% of cases. The rowers with traumatic injuries had less rowing experience than the uninjured rowers (median [C] +/- interquartile range [Q] = 3 +/- 3 years vs 4 +/- 3 years; P = .043, Mann-Whitney test). Sweep rowers who changed rowing side during the current season had significantly more acute-onset low back injuries (P = .012, chi(2) test) than those who did not change rowing side during the same period. The incidence of traumatic injuries was significantly lower in rowers who regularly performed more than 10 minutes of posttraining stretching (P = .030, chi2) test). Athletes who ran more than once a week had more overuse knee injuries than those who ran once or less per week (P = .033, chi2 test).
Conclusion:
Elite junior rowers attending the World Rowing Championships reported predominantly overuse injuries of low severity during the current rowing season. Low back injuries were the most frequent complaint of elite-level junior rowers.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...