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Article

Epidemiological Characteristics of Injuries Among Rowing Athletes Based on Gender and Age: A Retrospective Study

1
School of Physical Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
2
Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1538902, Japan
3
School of Education and Welfare, Aichi Prefectural University, Nagakute 4801342, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 5048; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095048
Submission received: 22 March 2025 / Revised: 27 April 2025 / Accepted: 29 April 2025 / Published: 1 May 2025

Abstract

:
To develop a prevention program for rowing-related injuries, it is crucial to study the epidemiological characteristics of injuries among Chinese rowing athletes. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and incidence of injuries among Chinese rowing athletes aged 12–24 years. A retrospective study was conducted in 2024 among 207 rowing athletes in China using a rowing-specific questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised two sections: the first section collected basic information, including gender, age, height, weight, years of training experience, daily training hours, weekly training days, and weekly training hours; the second section collected information on rowing-related injuries over the past year, including injury locations, mechanisms, and severity. An injury was defined as a physical complaint with time loss and/or medical care. Rowing-related injuries were normalized to rates per 1000 training hours and per 1000 training sessions, calculated using the Poisson distribution based on age and gender. A total of 131 injuries were reported, including 51 (38.9%) acute-onset and 80 gradual-onset (61.1%) injuries. The lower back was the most common site (39.7%, 52 cases), followed by the knee and shoulder. Over two-thirds of the injuries caused less than a week’s absence from rowing. The overall injury rate per 1000 training hours was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.38–0.54), and the overall injury rate per 1000 training sessions was 2.16 (95% CI: 1.79–2.53). Rowing-related injuries were significantly associated with gender (OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.37–9.02, p = 0.009) and BMI (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.33–9.95, p = 0.012). Among Chinese rowing athletes, injuries frequently occurred, especially in female athletes. Lower back injuries were the most common, followed by knee and shoulder injuries. This study contributes to improving injury prevention and early detection in high-risk anatomical regions and vulnerable athletes among elite rowers.

1. Introduction

Rowing originated in the United Kingdom, where athletes sit with their backs facing the finish line and the stern of the boat. Their feet are secured in sneakers attached to the pedals, and their hands grip fixed oar handles. During rowing, the lower back acts as the pivot for force transmission, while power is produced by transferring force from the lower limbs to the oar blades through the upper limbs, generating propulsive force in the water and propelling the boat forward [1]. A training session is defined as a day during which an athlete participates in training. Retrospective studies indicated that professional rowers sustain 1.75–2.25 injuries per 1000 training sessions [2,3,4], with male athletes experiencing 1.95–2.20 injuries and female athletes experiencing 2.35–2.36 injuries per 1000 sessions [3,4]. A separate retrospective study of amateur rowers reported an injury rate of 5.70 injuries per 1000 sessions, with male participants sustaining 6.70 injuries and female participants sustaining 4.90 injuries per 1000 sessions [5]. Rowing-related injuries often occur in the trunk and lower limbs, such as the lower back and knee [3,4,6]. Most rowing-related injuries are gradual onset, with the ratio of acute-onset to gradual-onset injuries being 1:1.70–2.80 [2,3,4].
A previous study on professional rowing athletes reported that several rowers withdrew from competitions due to injuries, requiring up to eight months of recovery following surgery [7]. Sports injuries not only impact training and competition performance but also result in lasting damage to an athlete’s physical function [8]. Thus, preventing rowing-related injuries is crucial for athletes and coaches, especially for adolescent athletes who are growing and developing.
To enhance injury prevention programs for rowing athletes, quantify the differences between adolescent and adult athletes, and optimize rehabilitation pathways to improve athletic performance and prolong athletic careers, this study aimed to (1) investigate the injury distribution, incidence, and anatomical sites of the most frequent injuries in Chinese rowers aged 12–24 years and (2) clarify the differences in injury characteristics between adolescent and adult rowers.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Methods

In 2024, we conducted a retrospective study. After coordinating with provincial and municipal coaches and obtaining their consent, we distributed electronic questionnaires via online platforms and email to athletes at the provincial level (including Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, etc.) and municipal level (including Shijiazhuang, Yueyang, Zhuzhou, Leshan, etc.) rowing talent development centers across China. This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Ethics Board of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (Notification Number [2023] IEC (S172)). The study protocol complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent forms were signed by the participants or by guardians if the participants were under 18 years of age. A total of 228 rowing athletes who had competed at the district level or higher were surveyed. After screening, 207 rowers (134 males and 73 females) were deemed eligible for inclusion. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) participants who had received at least one year of rowing training, (2) participants who had participated in at least one district-level or above rowing competition, and (3) participants who completed the questionnaire with no abnormal values.
The questionnaire was modified from previous studies and consisted of two parts [3,6]. The first part collected basic information, including gender, age, height, weight, years of rowing training experience, daily training hours, and training days per week; the second part focused on the anatomical sites of injuries related to rowing over the past year, including the neck, chest, shoulder, elbow, wrist, upper arm, forearm, back, lower back, hip, thigh, knee, ankle, foot, and other sites. It also collected information on the type, mechanism, and severity of injuries.

2.2. Injury Definition

Any physical discomfort of a rower during training or competition that met any of the following criteria was defined as an injury: (1) the inability to complete the current training or competition; (2) the inability to participate in subsequent training or competitions; and (3) the need for medical treatment for an injury, regardless of time loss [9]. Rowing-related injuries were categorized into acute-onset and gradual-onset injuries [9]. Acute-onset injuries were defined as damage suddenly triggered by a specific identifiable event, while gradual-onset injuries referred to chronic physical discomfort without a history of trauma and lacking a clear single causative incident [10,11].

2.3. Severity of Injury

The severity of injuries was classified based on the time lost for training or competition as follows: (1) accidental injury: no time lost from competition or training; (2) minor injury: absence from competition or training for less than 1 week; (3) moderate injury: absence from competition or training for 1 week to 1 month; and (4) severe injury: absence from competition or training for more than 1 month [12].

2.4. Statistical Analysis

The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check the normality of the basic parameters. Height presented a normal distribution, while age, weight, BMI, years of training experience, training hours daily, training days weekly, training hours weekly, and training hours in one year did not present a normal distribution. Participants were categorized by age into two groups: ≤18 years and >18 years. The basic parameters of the groups (≤18 years; >18 years) were statistically analyzed using the independent-samples t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test. Comparisons of injury incidence between groups were analyzed using the χ2 test, and injury rates per 1000 training hours and per 1000 training sessions were calculated using a Poisson distribution with a 95% confidence interval (CI). An hour of training was defined as an athlete participating in training for one hour, and a training session was defined as a day in which an athlete participated in training. Injury rates during rowing training were calculated as follows:
Injury rate per 1000 h = {∑(total number of injuries)/∑[(training hours per participant per day × training days per participant per week × weeks per participant one year)]} × 1000;
Injury rate per 1000 training sessions = {∑(total number of injuries)/∑[(training days per participant per week × weeks per participant one year)]} × 1000.
The denominator for injury rate calculations represented the total training hours or sessions aggregated across all the participants. Significant differences in values between groups for injury rate per 1000 training hours and per 1000 training sessions were assumed if the 95% CIs did not overlap. The denominator for injury rate calculations represented the total training hours or sessions aggregated across all athletes.
For further data analysis, logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the occurrence of rowing-related injuries and variables. Model 1-adjusted variables included gender and age; Model 2-adjusted variables included gender, age, height, weight, and BMI; and Model 3-adjusted variables included gender, age, height, weight, BMI, training years of experience, training hours daily, training days weekly, and training hours weekly. The variance inflation factor (VIF) value was calculated to diagnose suspected collinearity between two variables. If the VIF was 10 or above, values were treated as collinear, and only one variable was entered into a given model. The goodness-of-fit of the three models was evaluated based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). For statistical analysis, the difference was considered significant at a p-value < 0.05.

3. Results

This study investigated 207 Chinese elite rowing athletes (134 males and 73 females) ranging from 12 to 24 years old. There were 147 participants in the ≤18 years age group (89 males and 58 females) and 60 participants in the >18 years age group (45 males and 15 females) (Table 1). Significant differences in age (p < 0.01), height (p < 0.01), weight (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.01), training years of experience (p < 0.01), training hours daily (p < 0.01), training days weekly (p < 0.01), training hours weekly (p < 0.01), training sessions a year (p < 0.01), and training hours a year (p < 0.01) were found between the ≤18 years age group and the >18 years age group. As for basic parameters by gender, significant differences in age, height, weight, BMI, training years of experience, training hours daily, training hours weekly, and training hours a year were found between the ≤18 years age group and the >18 years age group among males. Among females, significant differences in age, height, weight, training years of experience, and training days weekly were found between the ≤18 years age group and the >18 years age group.
Overall, 79 of the 207 participants experienced 131 injuries, representing an injury rate of 38.2%. Among 134 males, 50 experienced 69 injuries, representing an injury rate of 37.3%. A total of 62 injuries occurred in 29 out of 73 females, representing an injury rate of 39.7%. In the ≤18 years age group, 71 injuries occurred in 46 out of 147 participants, representing an injury rate of 31.3%. Among them, 28 out of 89 males had 38 injuries, with the injury rate being 31.5%, and 18 out of 58 females had 33 cases of injury, representing a rate of 31.0%. In the >18 years age group, 33 out of 60 participants suffered 60 cases of injury, resulting in an injury rate of 55.0%. Regarding gender, 22 out of 45 males experienced 31 injuries, representing an injury rate of 48.9%, while 11 out of 15 females experienced 29 injuries, representing an injury rate of 73.3% (Figure 1). Meanwhile, the results of the χ2 test show that females aged >18 years were 6.11 times more likely to sustain rowing-related injuries than those aged ≤18 years (OR: 6.11, 95% CI: 1.71–21.81, p = 0.003; Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.006).
Table 2 shows rowing injury mechanisms and types broken down by gender and age. Among all 131 cases of rowing-related injuries, 51 cases (38.9%) were acute-onset injuries, while 80 cases (61.1%) were gradual-onset injuries, and the ratio of acute to chronic injuries was 1:1.57. Moreover, regardless of gender and age, the incidence of gradual-onset injuries was higher than that of acute-onset injuries. Regarding the mechanism of injury, independent of gender, strength training frequently caused acute-onset injuries (males: 14.5%; females: 19.4%). However, among males aged ≤18 years and among females aged ≤18 years, strength training frequently caused acute-onset injuries, while water training frequently caused acute-onset injuries among males and females >18 years of age.
As for the anatomical sites, the lower back was the most common injury site, accounting for 39.7% (52 cases), followed by the knee (27 cases; 20.6%) and the shoulder (13 cases; 9.9%). In males aged >18 years and in females aged >18 years, the most common injury site was the lower back (males: 58.1%; females: 44.8%), followed by the shoulder (males: 16.1%; females: 13.8%) and the knee (males: 9.7%; females: 10.3%). However, in males aged ≤18 years, the most common injury site was the lower back (42.1%), followed by the knee (26.3%) and the foot (10.5%), and in females aged ≤18 years, the most common injury site was the knee (33.3%), followed by the lower back (15.2%) and the shoulder (12.1%) (Table 3).
Regardless of gender and whether the injuries were of acute onset or gradual onset, the lower back was the most common injury site among all participants (Table 4 and Table 5). Acute-onset injuries were most frequently localized in the lower back (14 cases, 27.5%), followed by the knee (8 cases, 15.7%) and the ankle (7 cases, 13.7%). In males aged >18 years and in those aged ≤18 years, acute-onset injuries were most frequently localized in the lower back. However, the most frequent acute-onset injury sites were the lower back (2 cases; 25.0%) and the ankle (2 cases; 25.0%) in females aged >18 years, while the ankle (3 cases; 25.0%) was the most frequently injured site in females aged ≤18 years. Gradual-onset injuries were most frequently localized in the lower back (38 cases, 47.5%), followed by the knee (19 cases, 23.8%) and the shoulder (8 cases, 10.0%). In males aged >18 years and in those aged ≤18 years, gradual-onset injuries were most frequently localized in the lower back. However, the most frequent gradual-onset injury site was the lower back (11 cases; 52.4%), while the shoulder (3 cases; 14.3%) and the knee (3 cases; 14.3%) ranked second in females aged >18 years. In females aged ≤18 years, the knee (9 cases; 42.9%) was the most frequently injured site, followed by the lower back (4 cases; 19.0%) and the shoulder (4 cases; 19.0%).
Table 6 and Table 7 show the severity of injury in male and female rowing athletes. More than two-thirds (72.5%) of all 131 injuries resulted in an absence from rowing of less than 1 week (accidental injury: n = 43, 32.8%; minor injury: n = 52, 39.7%). A total of 13.7% resulted in an absence of 1 week to 1 month, and 13.7% resulted in an absence of more than 1 month. Among all male and female rowing athletes, most of the lower back, knee, shoulder, and ankle injuries were accidental and minor. Notably, all the injuries localized in the chest of females (aged ≤18 years and >18 years) were severe.
The overall rowing-related injury rates per 1000 training hours and per 1000 training sessions by age and gender are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The overall injury rate per 1000 training hours was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.38–0.54), and the overall injury rate per 1000 training sessions was 2.16 (95% CI: 1.79–2.53). Among male rowing athletes, the injury rate was 0.37 (95% CI: 0.29–0.46) per 1000 h (≤18 years: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24–0.46; >18 years: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26–0.55) and 1.77 (95% CI: 1.35–2.19) per 1000 training sessions (≤18 years: 1.43, 95% CI: 0.98–1.89; >18 years: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.61–3.35). Among female rowing athletes, the injury rate was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.47–0.78) per 1000 h (≤18 years: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28–0.57; >18 years: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.87–1.86) and 2.85 (95% CI: 2.14–3.56) per 1000 training sessions (≤18 years: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.20–2.45; >18 years: 7.85, 95% CI: 4.99–10.70). Based on the data of the 95% CI, female rowing athletes showed a significantly greater incidence rate per 1000 training hours than males, and female rowing athletes aged >18 years showed a significantly greater incidence rate than those aged ≤18 years and males, regardless of training hours and sessions.
Using collinearity diagnostics, the VIF value between weight and BMI was 1.838; the VIF value between height and BMI was 1.838; hence, weight, height, and BMI were all used for analysis. The logistic regression results show that rowing-related injury incidence was significantly associated with gender (OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.37–9.02, p = 0.009), height (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.11–1.84, p = 0.006), weight (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.52–0.94; p = 0.017), and BMI (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.33–9.95, p = 0.012) (Table 8). In the sensitivity analysis, Model 1 had a higher AIC (266.00 vs. 253.46) and a lower BIC (274.43 vs. 278.75) than Model 2. Model 3 had the lowest AIC (247.45) and the highest BIC (285.38).

4. Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this study might be the first to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of rowing-related injuries among Chinese athletes aged 12–24 years. Over one-third of the athletes experienced at least one rowing-related injury. Most of them were gradual-onset injuries. Lower back injuries ranked first, followed by injuries to the knee and shoulder. In addition, the incidence of injuries was significantly greater in female rowing athletes aged >18 years than in male rowing athletes, independent of age. Moreover, female rowing athletes aged >18 years showed a significantly greater injury incidence than those aged ≤18 years.
Regarding injury incidence, a retrospective study of elite international junior rowers (median age: 18 years) reported that approximately 47.9% of all 104 rowers had experienced at least one rowing-related injury, and the injury incidence rate per 1000 training sessions was 2.10 [3]. In addition, a retrospective study of 160 master rowers (aged 27–60 years) reported that 21.5% of the rowers experienced at least one rowing-related injury, and the injury rate was 2.25 injuries per 1000 training sessions [4]. In this study, 38.2% (50 males and 29 females) of all rowing athletes reported at least one rowing-related injury, and the injury rate per 1000 training sessions was 2.16, which is consistent with previous studies.
A prospective study focusing on international rowers reported an injury rate of 3.67 cases per 1000 h [6]. However, we found that the incidence of injury per 1000 h was 0.46 cases in the current study, which significantly differs from the previous study. The differences in sample size and age might explain the differences between this study (207 participants with a mean age of 16.8 years) and the previous study (20 participants with a mean age of 26.3 years).
Most injuries were gradual onset, with the ratio of acute-onset to gradual-onset injuries being 1:1.70–2.80 [2,3,4]. Among male athletes, the ratio of acute-onset to graduate-onset injuries was 1:2.10, while that among female athletes was 1:4.30 [3]. Similar to previous studies, most injuries in our study were gradual onset, with the ratio of acute-onset to graduate-onset injuries being 1:1.57 (males: 1:1.23; females: 1:2.10).
Regarding anatomical sites, lower back and knee injuries are more common in rowing athletes. Previous studies reported that the incidence of lower back injuries was 31.8–32.3%, and the incidence of knee injuries was 14.2–18.8% [3,4,6]. The incidence of lower back injuries was 31.8–34.7%, followed by knee injuries (12.6–19.6%) and arm/wrist injuries (15.2%) among male rowing athletes [3,4,13]. For female rowing athletes, the incidence of lower back injuries was 29.9–33.3%, followed by the shoulder (25.9%) and knee (16.9–17.6%) [3,4,13]. The results of this study are consistent with previous studies.
Back flexion and extension during rowing is similar to incomplete hard pulling, and athletes need to continuously push the oars with the force of the lower back, which causes great stress on the back muscles and intervertebral disks. At the same time, during leg extension and contraction, knee flexion and extension cause significant load on the knee joint, and women are more prone to patellofemoral injuries due to their anatomical structure. The repetitive nature of the rowing maneuver puts the rower’s lower back and knee joints at a higher risk of injury [14].
This study found a higher incidence of injuries in female rowing athletes than in male rowing athletes. Anatomical, biomechanical, and hormonal differences between females and males might contribute to this result. Firstly, anatomically and biomechanically, females generally exhibit greater joint laxity, and the alignment angles of the femur and tibia differ from those of males, reducing knee joint stability during exercise and increasing the risk of injury [15]. Additionally, rowing involves unique kinematic and kinetic characteristics, with energy being transferred from the lower limbs through the upper limbs to the oar. This specific biomechanical pattern further exacerbates the injury risk for females due to the lack of knee joint stability. As a result, female rowing athletes face a higher likelihood of injury. Secondly, hormonal influences also play a role. Female athletes with irregular or absent menstruation are at a significantly higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Studies have shown that women with irregular menstrual cycles are more prone to injury during high-intensity training, possibly due to fluctuating hormone levels that impair muscle and joint function [16]. Furthermore, other studies suggest that elevated estrogen levels during ovulation can increase joint laxity, making women more susceptible to skeletal asymmetry, which might further raise the risk of injury [17]. Therefore, training programs should incorporate targeted preventive strategies, strengthen injury surveillance in female athletes, and ensure timely rehabilitation to prevent injury exacerbation, thereby addressing the heightened injury susceptibility during training sessions.
This study demonstrated that injury incidence in rowing athletes was significantly positively associated with BMI (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.33–9.95; p = 0.012), aligning with previous findings on BMI–sports injury correlations. A retrospective study of international elite adolescent rowers revealed that injured athletes had significantly greater height and body weight compared to non-injured athletes [3]. Furthermore, the existing literature suggests that elevated BMI values may increase lower extremity injury risk through dual mechanisms. First, excessive BMI substantially elevates knee joint loading, leading to cartilage damage and degenerative meniscal tears [18,19]; second, athletes with higher BMI require greater force control during dynamic movements, where lower limb ligaments may exceed stability thresholds under such loads, thereby increasing non-contact sprain risks [20,21]. The injury patterns observed in rowing athletes in this study may reflect similar biomechanical pathways. The repetitive lower limb drive and combined trunk flexion–rotation in rowing strokes—a characteristic of this cyclic sport—likely induce cumulative joint stress in individuals with high BMI, ultimately resulting in musculoskeletal injuries. Additionally, elevated BMI values in rowing athletes may compromise dynamic stability and exacerbate injury susceptibility during fatigued states through mechanisms such as impaired neuromuscular control and altered energy dissipation patterns. Therefore, regular BMI monitoring should be implemented for athletes, with coaches intervening promptly when significant fluctuations are observed, to maintain optimal sport-specific BMI ranges, thereby mitigating biomechanical overload and reducing injury incidence.
This study has several limitations. First, as a retrospective investigation, it relies on the accuracy of athletes’ self-reported information, introducing potential recall bias. Second, this study likely underestimates the prevalence of severe rowing injuries, as athletes with serious injuries may have been excluded from training and competition due to their inability to resume activities, resulting in missing data. Third, the injury data are based on athletes’ subjective reports rather than medical diagnoses, limiting the verification of data authenticity and precluding an in-depth analysis of injury types. Finally, although we observed significantly higher injury incidence rates among female athletes aged >18 years compared to male athletes and athletes ≤18 years of age across both genders, the small sample size in this subgroup may have led to overestimated injury rates, preventing further exploration of this finding. Future research should use prospective designs to longitudinally track athletes through methods such as training logs, wearable devices, and team physician diagnoses, enabling dynamic recording of detailed data including training loads, injury locations, and injury mechanisms to minimize recall bias and missing data on severe injuries. Additionally, expanding sample sizes with better representation of female athletes over 18 years old through stratified sampling, and adjusting statistical models for confounders such as activity level, aerobic capacity, and physiological metrics (e.g., joint range of motion and muscular strength), will help to identify risk factors for rowing-related injury.

5. Conclusions

This study found that among Chinese rowing athletes aged 12–24 years, lower back injuries were the most common, followed by knee injuries. Most injuries were gradual onset, accidental, and minor. Female rowing athletes aged >18 years showed a significantly greater injury incidence than those aged ≤18 years. Notably, female athletes showed significantly higher injury incidence rates than male athletes. Significant associations were found between injury risk and gender and BMI. These findings clarify the high-risk anatomical regions in rowing and identify vulnerable population characteristics requiring prioritized attention, providing a scientific basis for developing targeted injury prevention strategies.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, H.Y.; methodology, H.M., X.Z. and K.I.; validation, S.S. and H.Z.; formal analysis, H.M., X.Z. and Y.H.; investigation, Z.M. and Y.D.; writing—original draft preparation, H.M. and X.Z.; writing—review and editing, K.I. and L.W.; supervision, H.Y. and H.Z.; funding acquisition, X.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by “Teaching and Research Projects in Higher Education of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Grant Nos. 2022067, 2024067)”.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Ethics Board of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (Notification Number [2023] IEC (S172)).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study. Written informed consent has been obtained from the participants to publish this paper.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

We are deeply grateful to the rowing athletes from Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, Jilin Province, Sichuan Province, and Hunan Province for their collaboration with us in data collection.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1. Occurrence of injuries in rowing athletes.
Figure 1. Occurrence of injuries in rowing athletes.
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Figure 2. Incidence rate of injury per 1000 training hours in rowing athletes. The error bars represent 95% CI.
Figure 2. Incidence rate of injury per 1000 training hours in rowing athletes. The error bars represent 95% CI.
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Figure 3. Incidence rate of injuries per 1000 training sessions in rowing athletes. The error bars represent 95% CI.
Figure 3. Incidence rate of injuries per 1000 training sessions in rowing athletes. The error bars represent 95% CI.
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Table 1. Basic information of rowing athletes by gender and age.
Table 1. Basic information of rowing athletes by gender and age.
VariableMaleFemaleTotal
≤18 Years
(n = 89)
>18 Years
(n = 45)
Total
(n = 134)
≤18 Years
(n = 58)
>18 Years
(n = 15)
Total
(n = 73)
≤18 Years
(n = 147)
>18 Years
(n = 60)
Total
(n = 207)
Age (yrs)15.5 ± 1.420.2 ± 1.3 ⁕⁕17.1 ± 2.615.2 ± 1.420.5 ± 1.6 ⁕⁕16.3 ± 2.615.3 ± 1.420.3 ± 1.4 ⁕⁕16.8 ± 2.7
Height (cm)184.5 ± 7.4189.8 ± 6.9 ⁕⁕186.3 ± 7.7171.9 ± 7.1178.4 ± 5.1 ⁕⁕173.3 ± 7.2179.5 ± 9.5187.0 ± 8.2 ⁕⁕181.7 ± 9.7
Weight (kg)76.5 ± 18.191.1 ± 16.3 ⁕⁕81.4 ± 18.863.2 ± 9.371.5 ± 8.8 ⁕⁕64.9 ± 9.771.3 ± 16.686.2 ± 17.0 ⁕⁕75.6 ± 18.0
0BMI (kg/m2)22.4 ± 4.425.3 ± 4.6 ⁕⁕23.3 ± 4.721.3 ± 2.222.4 ± 2.121.5 ± 2.221.9 ± 3.724.6 ± 4.3 ⁕⁕22.7 ± 4.1
Training years of experience2.0 ± 1.35.5 ± 1.7 ⁕⁕3.2 ± 2.22.3 ± 1.64.5 ± 2.6 ⁕⁕2.8 ± 2.02.1 ± 1.45.2 ± 2.0 ⁕⁕3.0 ± 2.1
Training hours daily4.2 ± 2.05.8 ± 2.6 ⁕⁕4.7 ± 2.34.3 ± 1.85.3 ± 2.34.5 ± 1.94.2 ± 1.95.7 ± 2.5 ⁕⁕4.6 ± 2.2
Training days weekly6.2 ± 0.95.8 ± 1.46.1 ± 1.16.5 ± 0.65.1 ± 1.4 ⁕⁕6.2 ± 1.06.3 ± 0.85.6 ± 1.4 ⁕⁕6.1 ± 1.1
Training hours weekly25.4 ± 12.235.4 ± 18.0 ⁕⁕28.8 ± 15.128.1 ± 12.429.5 ± 16.728.4 ± 13.226.5 ± 12.333.9± 17.7 ⁕⁕28.6 ± 14.4
Training sessions a year297.7 ± 41.0 277.9 ± 68.4291.0 ± 52.4311.6 ± 27.2246.4 ± 67.6298.2 ± 46.6303.2 ± 36.7270.0 ± 69.0 ⁕⁕293.6 ± 50.5
Training hours a year1219.4 ± 584.21697.9 ± 862.2 ⁕⁕1380.1 ± 723.31350.3 ± 593.21414.4 ± 799.91363.5 ± 635.41271.1 ± 589.31627.0 ± 849.4 ⁕⁕1374.2 ± 692.1
Total training sessions a year26,49612,50439,00018,072369621,76844,56816,20060,768
Total training hours a year108,52876,404184,93278,316.821,21699,532.8186,844.897,620284,464.8
BMI: body mass index, calculated by weight and height. ⁕⁕ p-value < 0.01, between the ≤18 years group and the >18 years group.
Table 2. Mechanisms of rowing-related injury.
Table 2. Mechanisms of rowing-related injury.
Male (n = 134)Female (n = 73)Total (n = 207)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
Acute-onset17 (44.7)14 (45.2)31 (44.9)12 (36.4)8 (27.6)20 (32.3)29 (40.8)22 (36.7)51 (38.9)
Strength training8 (21.1)2 (6.5)10 (14.5)9 (27.3)3 (10.3)12 (19.4)17 (23.9)5 (8.3)22 (16.8)
Water training2 (5.3)5 (16.1)7 (10.1)0 (0.0)4 (13.8)4 (6.5)2 (2.8)9 (15.0)11 (8.4)
Ergometer training2 (5.3)1 (3.2)3 (4.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (2.8)1 (1.7)3 (2.3)
Competition1 (2.6)0 (0.0)1 (1.4)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (1.4)0 (0.0)1 (0.8)
Other4 (10.5)6 (19.4)10 (14.5)3 (9.1)1 (3.4)4 (6.5)7 (9.9)7 (11.7)14 (10.7)
Gradual-onset21 (55.3)17 (54.8)38 (55.1)21 (63.6)21 (72.4)42 (67.7)42 (59.2)38 (63.3)80 (61.1)
Total38 (100.0)31 (100.0)69 (100.0)33 (100.0)29 (100.0)62 (100.0)71 (100.0)60 (100.0)131 (100.0)
Acute to chronic injury ratio1:1.241:1.211:1.231:1.751:2.631:2.101:1.451:1.731:1.57
Table 3. Distribution of anatomical sites of injury in rowing athletes.
Table 3. Distribution of anatomical sites of injury in rowing athletes.
SiteMale (n = 134)Female (n = 73)Total (n = 207)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
Neck0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (6.1)0 (0.0)2 (3.2)2 (2.8)0 (0.0)2 (1.5)
Chest0 (0.0)1 (3.2)1 (1.4)2 (6.1)1 (3.4)3 (4.8)2 (2.8)2 (3.3)4 (3.1)
Shoulder0 (0.0)5 (16.1)5 (7.2)4 (12.1)4 (13.8)8 (12.9)4 (5.6)9 (15.0)13 (9.9)
Elbow1 (2.6)1 (3.2)2 (2.9)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (1.4)1 (1.7)2 (1.5)
Wrist3 (7.9)0 (0.0)3 (4.3)3 (9.1)0 (0.0)3 (4.8)6 (8.5)0 (0.0)6 (4.6)
Upper arm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (3.4)1 (1.6)0 (0.0)1 (1.7)1 (0.8)
Forearm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (3.4)1 (1.6)0 (0.0)1 (1.7)1 (0.8)
Back0 (0.0)2 (6.5)2 (2.9)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (3.3)2 (1.5)
Lower back16 (42.1)18 (58.1)34 (49.3)5 (15.2)13 (44.8)18 (29.0)21 (29.6)31 (51.7)52 (39.7)
Hip/Gluteal0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (3.0)1 (3.4)2 (3.2)1 (1.4)1 (1.7)2 (1.5)
Thigh2 (5.3)0 (0.0)2 (2.9)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (2.8)0 (0.0)2 (1.5)
Knee10 (26.3)3 (9.7)13 (18.8)11 (33.3)3 (10.3)14 (22.6)21 (29.6)6 (10.0)27 (20.6)
Ankle2 (5.3)0 (0.0)2 (2.9)3 (9.1)2 (6.9)5 (8.1)5 (7.0)2 (3.3)7 (5.3)
Foot4 (10.5)0 (0.0)4 (5.8)2 (6.1)1 (3.4)3 (4.8)6 (8.5)1 (1.7)7 (5.3)
Other0 (0.0)1 (3.2)1 (1.4)0 (0.0)2 (6.9)2 (3.2)0 (0.0)3 (5.0)3 (2.3)
Total38 (100.0)31 (100.0)69 (100.0)33 (100.0)29 (100.0)62 (100.0)71 (100.0)60 (100.0)131 (100.0)
Table 4. Distribution of acute-onset injured anatomical sites in rowing athletes.
Table 4. Distribution of acute-onset injured anatomical sites in rowing athletes.
SiteMaleFemaleTotal
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
Neck0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (16.7)0 (0.0)2 (10.0)2 (6.9)0 (0.0)2 (3.9)
Chest0 (0.0)1 (7.1)1 (3.2)1 (8.3)0 (0.0)1 (5.0)1 (3.4)1 (4.5)2 (3.9)
Shoulder0 (0.0)4 (28.6)4 (12.9)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)1 (5.0)0 (0.0)5 (22.7)5 (9.8)
Elbow1 (5.9)0 (0.0)1 (3.2)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (3.4)0 (0.0)1 (2.0)
Wrist2 (11.8)0 (0.0)2 (6.5)2 (16.7)0 (0.0)2 (10.0)4 (13.8)0 (0.0)4 (7.8)
Upper arm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)1 (5.0)0 (0.0)1 (4.5)1 (2.0)
Forearm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)1 (5.0)0 (0.0)1 (4.5)1 (2.0)
Back0 (0.0)1 (7.1)1 (3.2)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (4.5)1 (2.0)
Lower back6 (35.3)5 (35.7)11 (35.5)1 (8.3)2 (25.0)3 (15.0)7 (24.1)7 (31.8)14 (27.5)
Hip/Gluteal0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (8.3)0 (0.0)1 (5.0)1 (3.4)0 (0.0)1 (2.0)
Thigh2 (11.8)0 (0.0)2 (6.5)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (6.9)0 (0.0)2 (3.9)
Knee4 (23.5)2 (14.3)6 (19.4)2 (16.7)0 (0.0)2 (10.0)6 (20.7)2 (9.1)8 (15.7)
Ankle2 (11.8)0 (0.0)2 (6.5)3 (25.0)2 (25.0)5 (25.0)5 (17.2)2 (9.1)7 (13.7)
Foot0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Other0 (0.0)1 (7.1)1 (3.2)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)1 (5.0)0 (0.0)2 (9.1)2 (3.9)
Total17 (100.0)14 (100.0)31 (100.0)12 (100.0)8 (100.0)20 (100.0)29 (100.0)22 (100.0)51 (100.0)
Table 5. Distribution of gradual-onset injured anatomical sites in rowing athletes.
Table 5. Distribution of gradual-onset injured anatomical sites in rowing athletes.
SiteMaleFemaleTotal
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
≤18 Years
N (%)
>18 Years
N (%)
Total
N (%)
Neck0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Chest0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (4.8)1 (4.8)2 (4.8)1 (2.4)1 (2.6)2 (2.5)
Shoulder0 (0.0)1 (5.9)1 (2.6)4 (19.0)3 (14.3)7 (16.7)4 (9.5)4 (10.5)8 (10.0)
Elbow0 (0.0)1 (5.9)1 (2.6)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (2.6)1 (1.3)
Wrist1 (4.8)0 (0.0)1 (2.6)1 (4.8)0 (0.0)1 (2.4)2 (4.8)0 (0.0)2 (2.5)
Upper arm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Forearm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Back0 (0.0)1 (5.9)1 (2.6)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (2.6)1 (1.3)
Lower back10 (47.6)13 (76.5)23 (60.5)4 (19.0)11 (52.4)15 (35.7)14 (33.3)24 (63.2)38 (47.5)
Hip/Gluteal0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (4.8)1 (2.4)0 (0.0)1 (2.6)1 (1.3)
Thigh0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Knee6 (28.6)1 (5.9)7 (18.4)9 (42.9)3 (14.3)12 (28.6)15 (35.7)4 (10.5)19 (23.8)
Ankle0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Foot4 (19.0)0 (0.0)4 (10.5)2 (9.5)1 (4.8)3 (7.1)6 (14.3)1 (2.6)7 (8.8)
Other0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (4.8)1 (2.4)0 (0.0)1 (2.6)1 (1.3)
Total21 (100.0)17 (100.0)38 (100.0)21 (100.0)21 (100.0)42 (100.0)42 (100.0)38 (100.0)80 (100.0)
Table 6. Injury severity in male rowing athletes by age.
Table 6. Injury severity in male rowing athletes by age.
Site≤18 Years (n = 89)>18 Years (n = 45)
Accidental
N (%)
Minor
N (%)
Moderate
N (%)
Severe
N (%)
Accidental
N (%)
Minor
N (%)
Moderate
N (%)
Severe
N (%)
Chest0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (20.0)0 (0.0)
Shoulder0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)3 (30.0)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)
Elbow1 (8.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)
Wrist1 (8.3)1 (6.7)1 (16.7)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Back0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (10.0)1 (20.0)0 (0.0)
Lower back6 (50.0)7 (46.7)2 (33.3)1 (20.0)5 (62.5)5 (50.0)2 (40.0)6 (75.0)
Thigh0 (0.0)1 (6.7)0 (0.0)1 (20.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Knee3 (25.0)3 (20.0)3 (50.0)1 (20.0)1 (12.5)1 (10.0)1 (20.0)0 (0.0)
Ankle1 (8.3)1 (6.7)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Foot0 (0.0)2 (13.3)0 (0.0)2 (40.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Other0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (12.5)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Total12 (100.0)15 (100.0)6 (100.0)5 (100.0)8 (100.0)10 (100.0)5 (100.0)8 (100.0)
Note: Neck, upper arm, forearm, and hip regions were excluded from the table for male rowers due to the absence of reported injuries in these anatomical sites, maintaining table conciseness.
Table 7. Injury severity in female rowing athletes by age.
Table 7. Injury severity in female rowing athletes by age.
Site≤18 Years (n = 58)>18 Years (n = 15)
Accidental
N (%)
Minor
N (%)
Moderate
N (%)
Severe
N (%)
Accidental
N (%)
Minor
N (%)
Moderate
N (%)
Severe
N (%)
Neck0 (0.0)2 (18.2)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Chest0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (100.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (33.3)
Shoulder1 (6.3)2 (18.2)1 (25.0)0 (0.0)1 (14.3)3 (18.8)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Wrist3 (18.8)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Upper arm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (14.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Forearm0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (6.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Lower back3 (18.8)1 (9.1)1 (25.0)0 (0.0)1 (14.3)10 (62.5)1 (33.3)1 (33.3)
Hip/Gluteal0 (0.0)1 (9.1)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (33.3)
Knee4 (25.0)5 (45.5)2 (50.0)0 (0.0)2 (28.6)1 (6.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Ankle3 (18.8)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (14.3)1 (6.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Foot2 (12.5)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)1 (14.3)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Other0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)2 (66.7)0 (0.0)
Total16 (100.0)11 (100.0)4 (100.0)2 (100.0)7 (100.0)16 (100.0)3 (100.0)3 (100.0)
Note: Elbow, back, and thigh regions were excluded from the table for female rowers due to the absence of reported injuries in these anatomical sites, maintaining table conciseness.
Table 8. Logistic regression analyses of the association of the incidence of rowing-related injuries and variables.
Table 8. Logistic regression analyses of the association of the incidence of rowing-related injuries and variables.
VariableModel 1
OR (95% CI)
pModel 2
OR (95% CI)
pModel 3
OR (95% CI)
p
Gender
Male1.00-1.00-1.00-
Female1.32 (0.72–2.44)0.384.34 (1.75–10.76)0.0023.52 (1.37–9.02)0.009
Age (yrs)1.22 (1.09–1.37)<0.0011.11 (0.98–1.26)0.101.02 (0.85–1.22)0.87
Height (cm)-      --1.43 (1.12–1.82)0.0041.43 (1.11–1.84)0.006
Weight (kg)-      --0.72 (0.54–0.95)0.0180.70 (0.52–0.94)0.017
BMI (kg/m2)-      --3.30 (1.28–8.53)0.0143.63 (1.33–9.95)0.012
Training years of experience-      ---      --1.02 (0.83–1.26)0.84
Training hours daily-      ---      --0.95 (0.41–2.16)0.89
Training days weekly-      ---      --0.67 (0.36–1.23)0.19
Training hours weekly-      ---      --1.06 (0.92–1.21)0.43
BMI: body mass index, calculated by weight and height; OR: odds ratio; 95% CI: 95% confidence interval.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Ma, H.; Zhou, X.; Imai, K.; Mu, Z.; Deng, Y.; Zeng, H.; Shen, S.; Wan, L.; Hu, Y.; Yu, H. Epidemiological Characteristics of Injuries Among Rowing Athletes Based on Gender and Age: A Retrospective Study. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 5048. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095048

AMA Style

Ma H, Zhou X, Imai K, Mu Z, Deng Y, Zeng H, Shen S, Wan L, Hu Y, Yu H. Epidemiological Characteristics of Injuries Among Rowing Athletes Based on Gender and Age: A Retrospective Study. Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(9):5048. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095048

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ma, Huiru, Xiao Zhou, Kazuhiro Imai, Ziwen Mu, Yixin Deng, Hongtao Zeng, Shaoshuai Shen, Laihong Wan, Yueying Hu, and Hengrui Yu. 2025. "Epidemiological Characteristics of Injuries Among Rowing Athletes Based on Gender and Age: A Retrospective Study" Applied Sciences 15, no. 9: 5048. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095048

APA Style

Ma, H., Zhou, X., Imai, K., Mu, Z., Deng, Y., Zeng, H., Shen, S., Wan, L., Hu, Y., & Yu, H. (2025). Epidemiological Characteristics of Injuries Among Rowing Athletes Based on Gender and Age: A Retrospective Study. Applied Sciences, 15(9), 5048. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095048

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