Ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal discomforts among young Indian rowers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.