Measuring spinal motion in rowers: the use of an electromagnetic device.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a skin-mounted electromagnetic measurement device can be used to measure lumbar spinal motion in rowers and discriminate between variations in technique.


METHODS
The lumbar spinal kinematics of elite level rowers were assessed with an electromagnetic device (Flock of Birds) during ergometer training using five technique variants. The system was correlated with sagittal MRI imaging of the lumbar spine and pelvis.


BACKGROUND
Rowing technique is related to performance and injury. This study sought to test a method to obtain quantitative data on the effect of changes in technique on lumbar spinal and pelvic motion.


METHODS
Lumbar spinal and pelvic motion were measured in six elite level rowers on an ergometer using normal rowing technique, three common bad technique variants, and after a 10 min piece of rowing simulating fatigue.


RESULTS
Significant differences were found between the different rowing techniques for femoral, thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral flexion.


CONCLUSIONS
Kinematic parameters of spinal motion of rowers can be measured dynamically and used to quantify and discriminate between good and bad rowing styles. Relevance There is a consistent style of "good" rowing technique on an ergometer. Deviations from this technique can be measured and this will allow studies to be conducted comparing rowing styles between rowers of different standards and between different boat houses. There is potential to develop a dynamic feedback system to the rower that will assist in training and eradicate bad technique variants.
Bull
A M
AM
Department of Biological and Medical Systems, Imperial College, SW7 2BX, London, UK. a.bull@ic.ac.uk
McGregor
A H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D016552:Ergometry; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D005269:Femur / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D012447:Sacrum / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education / Q000502:physiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology