Musculoskeletal profile and incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in lightweight women rowers.

There is a lack of information dealing with the musculoskeletal profile of common injuries in women rowers. Strength and flexibility of trunk/pelvic muscles were qualitatively described in 17 elite lightweight women rowers. Questionnaires regarding incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in this population were completed. Correlations between musculoskeletal profiles and incidence of injury were determined. Results indicate elite lightweight women rowers have a high incidence of low back pain and discomfort. Seventy-five percent of the sample demonstrated hyperflexion of the lumbar spine. There was a high positive correlation between hyperflexion motion of the lumbar spine and incidence of low back pain. There was a high negative correlation between adherence to a regular stretching program and incidence of low back pain.