[Spinal deformities and their mechanopathology in oarsmen (author's transl)]

Motional analysis of the spinal segments with an x-ray amplifyer and studies of mechanical stress in the spine at oarsmen show, that during the phase of driving through with the oars immersed, the direction of the resulting load in the spine is approximately vertical to the next vertebral body. While referring to the vertebral bodies the direction of the resulting load does not change essentially, the size of the load differs conspicuously during active motion. In rowing the quantity of stress in the spine is limited by the torque of the counterforce, the erector trunci. Using an exact and correct rowing technique the quality of stress is compatible with the physiologically axial stresspattern of the vertebral body and the intervertebral disque. The frequency of peakstress in active rowing may possible lead to early and augmented degenerative changes in the vertebral bodies. In 45 Austrian top oarsmen the spine was examined clinically and radiologically, 68% showed signs of a previous Scheuermann's disease, while degenerative changes of vertebral bodies were found in 48%. Comparing spinal damages in different sports used in the training of the examined oarsmen, only in bicycling a similar pathomechanical effect on the spine could be observed.