Is There a Relationship between Low Back, Hamstring, and Ankle Flexibility with Rowing Performance in Elite Rowers?

Year 2024, , 588 - 596, 25.05.2024

Elif Tuğçe Çil , Yağmur Barlas , Deniz Özlüer , Can Seçinti , Aslı Yeral

https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1435151

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between low back, hamstring, and ankle flexibility with rowing performance. The study included 26 male rowers (mean age: 16.72±0.73 years). All participants were assessed regarding the flexibility of the low back, hamstring, ankle, and rowing performance by sit and reach (Baltaci et al., 2003), weight-bearing lunge (Powden et al., 2015)., and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time tests (Mikulić et al., 2009), respectively. No correlation was found between sit and reach and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time test results. However, a negative correlation was found between ankle flexibility and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time test results (r= -0.39; p <0.05). Additionally, 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time test result was negatively correlated with anthropometric variables and the training frequency of rowers in a week. The stepwise multiple regression analysis results indicated that only training frequency had a significant impact on the outcome variable. Conversely, weight, height, and ankle flexibility were insignificant predictors in the analysis (R2 = .492; R = .39, p<0.05). The training frequency plays a crucial role in influencing the outcome variable. Other factors, such as weight, height, and ankle flexibility, did not demonstrate significant associations. However, it is essential to note that the regression model only takes into account a medium level of variance. Future studies may examine the potential impact of other risk factors.

Keywords

Flexibility, Performance, Rowers, Sports, Male

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the decision of the Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee by the Declaration of Helsinki (protocol number 182). The clinical trial number of the study is NCT05771272.

Thanks

We would like to thank Çağatay Şekeröz for his contributions.

References

• Ackland, T.R., Lohman, T.G., Sundgot-Borgen, J., Maughan, R.J., Meyer, N.L., Stewart, A.D., & Müller, W. (2012). Current status of body composition assessment in sport: review and position statement on behalf of the ad hoc research working group on body composition health and performance, under the auspices of the IOC Medical Commission. Sports Medicine, 42, 227-249. [CrossRef]
• Akça F. (2014). Prediction of rowing ergometer performance from functional anaerobic power, strength, and anthropometric components. Journal of Human Kinetics, 41(1),133-142. [CrossRef]
• Baltaci, G., Un, N., Tunay, V., Besler, A., & Gerçeker, S. (2003). Comparison of three different sit and reach tests for measurement of hamstring flexibility in female university students. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(1), 59-61. [CrossRef]
• Baudouin, A., & Hawkins, D. (2004). Investigation of biomechanical factors affecting rowing performance. Journal of Biomechanics, 37(7), 969-976.[CrossRef]
• Bourgois, J., Claessens, A.L., Vrijens, J., Philippaerts, R., Van Renterghem, B., Thomis, M., Janssens, M., Loos, R., & Lefevre, J. (2000) Anthropometric characteristics of elite male junior rowers. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(3), 213-216.[CrossRef]
• Bull, A.M., & McGregor, A.H. (2000). Measuring spinal motion in rowers: the use of an electromagnetic device. Clinical Biomechanics,15(10), 772-776. [CrossRef]
• Buckeridge, E. M., Bull, A. M., & McGregor, A. H. (2015). Biomechanical determinants of elite rowing technique and performance. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 25(2), e176-e183. [CrossRef]
• Ettema, G., Haug, A., Ludvigsen, T. P., & Danielsen, J. (2022). The role of stroke rate and intensity on rowing technique. Sports biomechanics, 1–22.[ CrossRef]
• Graham-Smith, P., Burgess, K., & Ridler, A. (2007). The relationship between strength, power, flexibility, anthropometry and technique and 2000 m and 5000 m rowing ergometer performance. In Kinanthropometry X Routledge. ISBN: 9780203944745
• Hartman, M.J., Clark, B., Bemben, D.A., Kilgore, J.L., & Bemben, MG. (2007). Comparisons between twice-daily and once-daily training sessions in male weight lifters. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2(2),159-169. [CrossRef]
• Hosea, T.M., & Hannafin, J.A. (2012). Rowing injuries. Sports Health, 4(3), 236-245. [CrossRef]
• Howell, D.W. (1984). Musculoskeletal profile and incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in lightweight women rowers. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 12(4),278-282. [CrossRef]
• Kasmi, S., Hammami, A., Gharbi, N., & Khalifa, R. (2017). The effects of Nordic hamstring exercise on pain and performance in elite rowers with low back pain. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 3(2), 22-25.
• Kılınç F. (2008). Çocuklarda ekstiremite uzunluk ve çevre ölçümlerinin kürek çekme performansı üzerine etkileri. SDU Medical Faculty Journal, 15(3), 30-33.
• Kraemer, W.J., & Ratamess, N.A. (2004). Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(4), 674-688. [CrossRef]
• Liu, Y., Gao, B., Li, J., Ma, Z., & Sun, Y. (2020). Increased foot-stretcher height improves rowing performance: evidence from biomechanical perspectives on water. Sports Biomechanics, 19(2),168-179. [CrossRef]
• Mäestu, J., Jürimäe, J., & Jürimäe, T. (2005). Monitoring of performance and training in rowing. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 35(7), 597–617. [CrossRef]
• Mayorga-Vega, D., Merino-Marban, R., & Viciana, J. (2014). Criterion-Related Validity of Sit-and-Reach Tests for Estimating Hamstring and Lumbar Extensibility: a Meta-Analysis. Journal of sports science & medicine, 13(1), 1–14.
• Mikulić, P., Smoljanović, T., Bojanić, I., Hannafin, J., & Pedi, E. (2009). Does 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time correlate with final rankings at the World Junior Rowing Championship? A case study of 398 elite junior rowers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(4),361-366
• Mikulić, P., & Ryzic, L. (2008). Predicting the 1000 m rowing ergometer performance in 12–13-year-old rowers: the basis for the selection process. Joırnal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 11(2), 218-226. [CrossRef]
• Ogurkowska, M. A. Ł. G. O. R. Z. A. T. A., Kawalek, K., & Zygmanska, M. (2015). Biomechanical characteristics of rowing. Trends in Sport Sciences, 22(2).
• Penichet-Tomas, A., Pueo, B., Abad-Lopez, M., & Jimenez-Olmedo, J. M. (2021). Acute comparative effect of foam rolling and static stretching on range of motion in rowers. Sustainability, 13(7), 3631. [CrossRef]
• Powden, C. J., Hoch, J. M., & Hoch, M. C. (2015). Reliability and minimal detectable change of the weight-bearing lunge test: a systematic review. Manual therapy, 20(4), 524-532.
• Reid, D.A., & Mcnair, P.J. (2000). Factors contributing to low back pain in rowers. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(5), 321-322. [CrossRef]
• Rumball, J. S., Lebrun, C. M., Di Ciacca, S. R., & Orlando, K. (2005). Rowing injuries. Sports medicine, 35, 537-555. Secher, N. H., & Volianitis, S. (Eds.). (2009). The Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science: Rowing. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-1-4051-5373-7
• Schober, P., Boer, C., & Schwarte, L. A. (2018). Correlation Coefficients: Appropriate Use and Interpretation. Anesthesia and analgesia, 126(5), 1763–1768. [CrossRef]
• Smoljanovic, T., Bojanic, I., Hannafin, J. A., Hren, D., Delimar, D., & Pecina, M. (2009). Traumatic and overuse injuries among international elite junior rowers. The American journal of sports medicine, 37(6), 1193-1199. [CrossRef]
• Soper, C., & Hume, P. A. (2005). Ergometer rowing'performance improves over 2000 m when using a steeper foot· stretcher angle. In ISBS-Conference Proceedings Archive.
• Soper, C., & Hume, P. A. (2004). Towards an ideal rowing technique for performance: the contributions from biomechanics. Sports Medicine, 34, 825-848. [CrossRef]
• Steer, R.R., McGregor, A.H., & Bull, A.M. (2006). A comparison of kinematics and performance measures of two rowing ergometers. Journal of Sports science & Medicine, 5(1), 52-9.
• Stutchfield, B. M., & Coleman, S. (2006). The relationships between hamstring flexibility, lumbar flexion, and low back pain in rowers. European Journal of Sport Science, 6(4), 255-260). [CrossRef]
• Thompson, P., & Wolf, A. (2016). Training for the complete rower: A guide to improving performance. Crowood. Weerts, J., Bashkuev, M., Pan, F., & Schmidt, H. (2019). Association between hamstring flexibility and lumbopelvic posture and kinematics during ergometer rowing. Translational Sports Medicine, 2(6),380-386. [CrossRef]
• Wilson, F., Gissane, C., & McGregor, A. (2014). Ergometer training volume and previous injury predict back pain in rowing; strategies for injury prevention and rehabilitation. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(21), 1534-1537. [CrossRef]