Etiology, Clinical Management, and Prevention of Mechanical Lumbar Spine Dysfunction in Rowing Athletes: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.58.72673Keywords
rowing, low back pain, biomechanics, injury prevention, rowing ergometerAbstract
Background. Rowing is a demanding endurance sport that causes extreme mechanical loading of the lumbar spine. Consequently, mechanical lumbar spine dysfunction is a highly prevalent injury, that leads to training interruptions and threatens athletic performance.
Aim. This review systematically synthesizes literature regarding the risk factors, biomechanics, structural alterations, prevention, and management of lumbar spine overload in rowers. Highlighting that imaging findings alone are insufficient for clinical decision-making.
Material and methods. A comprehensive database search was conducted using scientific databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar. Data from reviews, meta-analyses, observational studies, RCTs, electromyography analyses, and qualitative research on lumbar dysfunction in rowers were synthesized.
Results. Prolonged stationary ergometer use and a previous injury history are the strongest injury predictors. Biomechanically, the drive phase is the most critical segment for symptom exacerbation. EMG analyses demonstrate that rowers with lumbar pain have excessive back muscle activation. This indicates compensatory overactivation rather than baseline weakness. MRI studies reveal that structural spine alterations even in asymptomatic athletes. Psychosocially, athletes frequently normalize severe back pain, fostering a culture of concealment that exacerbates chronic tissue damage. Pre-participation screening effectively identifies at-risk rowers using the Functional Movement Screen, as well as plank and Sorensen tests to evaluate core endurance.
Conclusions. Lumbar dysfunction in rowers is a multifactorial condition demanding a shift from a strictly biomedical focus to a comprehensive biopsychosocial model. Prevention requires regular functional screening, optimizing technique over sheer force, strict ergometer load management, and educating athletes to encourage early injury reporting.
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