Biomechanical differences in recovery, drive, and finish phases between injured and non-injured rowing athletes

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of injuries among rowing athletes, as determined by previous analyses, provided a key foundation for this study. This study aimed to analyze differences in rowing kinematics during each phase of the rowing stroke (catch, drive, and finish) between rowing athletes with a history of injury and those without.

Methods: The study utilized the quantitative descriptive method with a causal-comparative design. Participants were selected based on the criteria, including active rowing athletes at the national training camp preparing for the 2025 SEA Games, undergoing routine training, and physically capable of completing a 100-meter ergometer test. Athletes who had incomplete injury history, were undergoing rigorous rehabilitation, or had any acute injuries or pain that limited movement during data collection were excluded. The final samples were 21 Indonesian National Team rowers. This rowing kinematics was evaluated using Kinovea software with two-dimensional video records of athletes who performed the rowing actions on an ergometer in training without assistance.

Results: The analysis did not show a significant difference between the two groups, but the descriptive analysis showed differences in the average angles for both groups during each phase.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that even non-statistically significant kinematic changes may have treatment implications. It highlights the need for a thorough biomechanical assessment, technique-specific rehabilitation and regular monitoring of movement quality as important elements of injury prevention and performance enhancement in competitive rowing.