PhD, Associate Professor L.Yu. Krylov
The Russian University of Sport «GTSOLIFK», Moscow

Keywords: academic rowing, injury prevention, a set of exercises.

Introduction. Each sport has its own typical injuries, which largely depend on biomechanical errors that occur against the background of overloads of joints and muscles specific to this sport. This leads to the development of long-term microtrauma, causing further disruption of the model biomechanical characteristics of locomotion. In rowing, shoulder joints, back muscles, knee joints and wrist joints are most often affected. Such injuries can and should be prevented by medical and pedagogical means throughout the annual macrocycle.
The purpose of the study is to develop a technique for the prevention of injuries to the musculoskeletal system in athletes specializing in rowing, with a view to its further application in the training process.
Methodology and organization of research. The scientific work was attended by 30 people (15 men and 15 women) specializing in academic rowing, qualified by the KMS and MS.
In order to identify the causes that affect the possibility of injuries to the musculoskeletal system, we conducted a survey of coaches and athletes, which resulted in the development of a set of exercises for the prevention of the most typical injuries of the musculoskeletal system. The developed complex was implemented in the training process of rowers.
The results of the study and their discussion. According to the survey, 70% of the surveyed athletes have been rowing for more than 15 years. 80% of the athletes surveyed were diagnosed with various injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, of which 60% had more than one disease. 40% of the subjects had intervertebral disc protrusion and herniation, 25% had knee or shoulder joint tendonitis and tendinosis, and 15% had chronic wrist pain. During the one-year training cycle, only 10% of the athletes surveyed used measures for specific prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system on an ongoing basis.
The developed complex included the following types of exercises:
Exercises aimed at preventing injuries of the musculoskeletal system, depending on the nature of the injury and based on the use of an individual approach.
The use of bodyweight exercises aimed at developing stabilizer muscles of the lower and upper extremities.
The use of statodynamic exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the core.
The use of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of antagonists.
In addition to the above, during the athletes' training process, a number of theoretical classes were held on the topic: "Prevention of injuries of the musculoskeletal system during rowing".
According to the results of the survey, after the study, 40% of respondents noted a significant reduction in discomfort and an improvement in the "quality" of rowing, 25% of respondents noted a slight decrease in discomfort and an improvement in the "quality" of rowing, 15% of respondents did not note any subjective improvements – mostly they were age-old athletes with long-term chronic injuries, with persistent pain a syndrome.
Conclusions. The vast majority of athletes involved in rowing have chronic injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system of varying severity. The most common injuries are those associated with disease and damage to the myofascial structures of the lumbar spine, followed by injuries and diseases of the ligamentous-cartilaginous structures of the knee and shoulder joints. In order to prevent injury, the training process should include sets of special exercises aimed at improving joint mobility and maximizing the involvement of antagonist muscles and stabilizer muscles in locomotion, which will preserve the correct biomechanics of rowing throughout the annual cycle.

References

1. Ilchenko M.A., Makhalin A.V. Some anthropometric indicators and features of somatotypes of athletes engaged in rowing. Natural and technical Sciences. 2023. № 7 (182). Pp. 35-39.
2. Krylov L.Y. Prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in rowers. Fizicheskaya kultura: vospitanie, obrazovanie, trenirovka. 2024. No. 2. P. 79.