Sportverletz Sportschaden 2019; 33(01): 51-59
DOI: 10.1055/a-0648-8387
Originalarbeit
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Back Pain in Rowers: A Cross-sectional Study on Prevalence, Pain Characteristics and Risk Factors

Rückenschmerzen bei Ruderern: Prävalenz, Schmerzcharakteristika und Risikofaktoren
Katharina Trompeter
Fakultät für Sportwissenschaft, Lehrstuhl für Sportmedizin und Sporternährung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
,
Daniela Fett
Fakultät für Sportwissenschaft, Lehrstuhl für Sportmedizin und Sporternährung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
,
Petra Platen
Fakultät für Sportwissenschaft, Lehrstuhl für Sportmedizin und Sporternährung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 November 2018 (online)

Abstract

Objectives To establish the prevalence of back pain in rowers at different competition levels and rowing typologies compared with a non-rowing control group; to determine different time periods, the location on the spine, and different pain characteristics. Additionally to evaluated different risk factors that might be responsible for back pain.

Methods A standardized and validated online back pain questionnaire was sent to elite and non-elite rowers of different rowing typologies, and a physically active non-rowing control group.

Results Responses from 156 rowers (104 elite and 52 non-elite/ 49 scull and 76 sweep rowers) and 166 controls were received. Back pain prevalence and severity was significantly higher among rowers compared with controls, and among scull compared with sweep rowers. The lower back was the main location of back pain in rowers of all competition levels and typologies, and in controls. Age, sex, and training volume influenced the prevalence of back pain. Rowing kinematics, strength, and ergometer training were the main associated risk factors for back pain in rowers.

Conclusions Back pain in different spinal locations is a common complaint in rowers of different typologies and competition levels. Rowing kinematics, strength, and ergometer training are the main associated risk factors for developing back pain in rowers. Thus, the spinal load due to rowing kinematics and different types of training should be investigated in future studies. Additionally, training should be monitored by experienced coaches to prevent back pain due to technical mistakes or too-heavy loads.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele Die Ermittlung der Prävalenz von Rückenschmerzen bei Ruderern unter Berücksichtigung des Wettkampfniveaus und der Rudertechnik im Vergleich zu einer Kontrollgruppe von Nicht-Ruderern; die Ermittlung unterschiedlicher Schmerzepisoden, -lokalisationen und -charakteristika sowie die Evaluation von Risikofaktoren, die für Rückenschmerzen verantwortlich sein können.

Methoden Ein standardisierter, validierter onlinebasierter Rückenschmerzfragebogen wurde an männliche und weibliche Ruderer aus dem Spitzen- und Breitensport versandt, die unterschiedliche Rudertechniken ausüben, sowie an eine sportlich aktive Kontrollgruppe von Nicht-Ruderern.

Ergebnisse Die Fragebögen wurden von 156 Ruderern (104 Spitzen- und 52 Breitensportler/49 Skuller und 76 Riemenruderer 31 ohne Angabe der Rudertechnik) und 166 Kontrollprobanden beantwortet. Prävalenz und Schweregrad von Rückenschmerzen waren bei den Ruderern deutlich höher als bei den Kontrollprobanden und bei Skullern höher als bei Riemenruderern. Bei Ruderern aller Wettkampfniveaus und beider Rudertechniken, wie auch in der Kontrollgruppe, waren die Rückenschmerzen vorwiegend im unteren Rücken lokalisiert. Alter, Geschlecht und Trainingsumfang beeinflussten die Prävalenz von Rückenschmerzen. Die Ruderkinematik sowie Kraft- und Ergometertraining erwiesen sich als Hauptrisikofaktoren für Rückenschmerzen bei Ruderern.

Schlussfolgerungen Rückenschmerzen in verschiedenen Wirbelsäulenregionen sind ein häufig auftretendes Symptom von Ruderern unterschiedlicher Wettkampfniveaus und Rudertechniken. Ruderkinematik, Kraft- und Ergometertraining sind die Hauptrisikofaktoren für das Auftreten von Rückenschmerzen bei Ruderern. Daher sollte in zukünftigen Studien untersucht werden, wie sich die Ruderkinematik und verschiedene Trainingsinhalte im Rudern auf die Wirbelsäulenbelastung auswirken. Außerdem sollte das Training durch erfahrene Trainer überwacht werden, um Rückenschmerzen durch technische Fehler oder zu starke Belastungen zu vermeiden.

 
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