Gender Differences in Trunk and Pelvic Kinematics During Prolonged Ergometer Rowing in Adolescents

Abstract

The trunk and pelvis kinematics of 20 healthy male and female adolescent rowers were recorded during an ergometer trial using an electromagnetic tracking system (Fastrak). The kinematics of each drive phase were collected during the 1st and 20th minute, respectively. The mean and range of the kinematics, stroke rate and stroke length were compared between genders and over time. Male rowers postured their pelvis with more posterior tilt and their thoracic spine in more flexion than female rowers (P< .05). Both genders postured their pelvis in more posterior pelvic rotation and upper trunk in more flexion over time. Male rowers were found to have a significantly shorter drive phase than female rowers (P= .001). Differences in trunk and pelvic kinematics between adolescent male and female rowers suggest potentially various mechanisms for biomechanical stress. Assessment and training of rowers should take gender differences into consideration.

Cognitive Functional Therapy for the Management of Low Back Pain in an Adolescent Male Rower: A Case Report

“…Furthermore, given that spinal kinematics differ between genders and that males appear to be more susceptible to LBP, previously successful interventions should be evaluated in the male population. 18,27,33 The aim of this case study was to investigate whether a CFT intervention could alter the spinal kinematics and reduce the LBP of a male adolescent rower during ergometer rowing.…”

“…During the rowing trial, the rower was requested to row at a very high intensity (17/20 on Borg rating of perceived exertion) at a stroke rate of 22 strokes per minute for a period of 15 minutes. This protocol has been used in previous studies 32,33 and was determined after consultations between the research team and coaches. During the ergometry trial, the rate of perceived exertion 3 and the NPRS 7 were verbally collected at the beginning of every minute of the ergometer trial and also at the end of the 15-minute ergometer trial.…”

“…A rotary encoder was also connected to the flywheel of the rowing ergometer to determine the stroke length. 33 The voltage generated by the rotary encoder was calibrated with a ruler prior to the trials to determine stroke length and was synchronized with the 3SPACE FAS-TRAK (Polhemus) using a customized LabVIEW software program (Version 8.6.1; National Instruments Corporation, Austin, TX). The following angles were calculated from the 3SPACE FASTRAK (Polhemus) data using customized Lab-VIEW software (National Instruments Corporation) 5 and have been used in previous studies of rowing kinematics 30,31,48 (FIGURE 3): (1) hip angle, the angle of the S2 sensor relative to the femur sensor; (2) pelvis angle, the angle of the S2 sensor relative to the vertical axis; (3) lower lumbar angle, the angle of the L3 sensor relative to the S2 sensor; (4) upper lumbar angle, the angle of the T12 sensor relative to the L3 sensor; (5) lumbar angle, the angle of the T12 sensor relative to the S2 sensor.…”

“…This has been shown to be a valid tool to collect kinematics during ergometer rowing, with an error of 0.4° when used on a modified ergometer, and has been used in other rowing-related studies. 30,33,48 A detailed description of this process is described in the Laboratory Analysis section of this paper. …”

Labral Injuries of the Hip in Rowers

“…1). In our study, the majority of the patients were female and recent biomechanical data have demonstrated sex differences in trunk and pelvic kinematics with rowing, which may account for the discrepancy [8].…”