LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN THE SPINAL KINEMATICS OF OARSWOMEN DURING STEP TESTING

• Main Authors: Anthony M.J. Bull, Zeenat S. Patankar, Alison H. McGregor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Uludag 2007-03-01
• Series: Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
• Subjects: Stroke length; performance; lumbo-pelvic motion force output
• Online Access: http://www.jssm.org/vol6/n1/3/v6n1-3text.php

Earlier studies have investigated the biomechanics of rowing during step testing with a focus on lumbo-pelvic kinematics and force output and noted that these parameters change with work intensity. The aim of this study was to investigate how the biomechanics of the rowing stroke changes over time as a result of coaching and training and to see if these change were related to a change in physiological performance. An electromagnetic motion measuring device in conjunction with a load cell was used to determine the ergometer rowing kinematics of 7 elite international oarswomen during routine step tests over a two year period. Force output was observed to improve over the two year time period, with peak force significantly rising by 40-80 N. This was associated with significant increases in stroke length of between 15 and 19 cm. Both of these are indicative of improvement in performance. Kinematic variables were also observed to change, with greater pelvic rotation and associated lumbar spine motion at the later time point. The findings of this study demonstrate that rowing technique changes with time, and suggest that kinematics measures of rowing technique may be important tools to monitor athletes