Affiliations: [a] Musculoskeletal Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial
College London, UK | [b] Bioengineering, Imperial College London, UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr A.H. McGregor, Musculoskeletal
Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital
Campus, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK. Tel.: +44 20 8383 8831; Fax: +44
20 8383 8835; E-mail: a.mcgregor@imperial.ac.uk
Abstract: This study compared the strength and fatigue characteristics of the
trunk in international rowers and non-rowing controls. 39 international rowers
(mean age 27.4 ± 4.9, 20 females, 19 males) and 35 control subjects who
did not row (mean age 23.2 ± 3.2, 20 males, 15 females) were recruited
and parameters of trunk flexion-extension strength including isometric fatigue
were recorded tested on a Cybex Norm Isokinetic Testing System. The rowers were significantly stronger (P < 0.001) in all
measured parameters of back strength than the control group (isometric
extension strength 249.3 N/m ± 52.1 (SD) in rowers compared with 178.6
N/m ± 85 (SD) in controls). Greater strength in the rowing group was
most significant in the later stages of range. Both populations demonstrated
marked fatigue of the trunk muscles, although this was more prominent in the
rowers (p < 0.05 in flexion). In general, values of extensor strength were
markedly greater than flexion strength, although this was less so in rowers.
Consequently the trunk extensor-flexor ratios were lower in the rowing
population. In conclusion, elite rowers are significantly stronger than control
subjects. It is of interest that these strength gains are not proportional
throughout range and this may be related to the rowing action, and may be of
importance with respect to future development of LBP.
