FORCES ON THE LOWER BACK DURING ROWING PERFORMANCE IN A SINGLE SCULL

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the compressive force on the lower back during rowing performance during trials in which Hatchet sculling blades were used and trials in which Macon sculling blades were used. Compressive force was determined using an inverse dynamics approach using the lower back model developed by Chaffin (Chaffin and Andersson, 1990). The results indicate that: (1) the peak compressive force on the lower back was found to be 5344N and 4876N for Macon and Hatchet blades respectively, (2) there was no difference in peak compressive force between the trials with Hatchet blades and Macon blades; (3) with the Hatchet blades the compressive force increased immediately after the entry of the blade.