For many, going out and rowing is more than just a labor of fitness, it’s a hobby and a passion. Rowing provides you with the opportunity to escape and relax in the calm waters. It is something almost anyone can do. As long as you have access to the right boat, a life jacket, and some oars, you’re set.
While rowing can help you exercise numerous parts of your body from your legs right up to your back and arms, it can result in some injuries due to the unique way you use your muscles when rowing. Your legs flex and fully extend one by one while your arms move.
This happens in no other sport. Therefore, it is important to know the unique ways in which you can get injured and how to prevent these injuries.
Rib Injuries
Perhaps one of the last places you’d expect rowing to negatively impact, your ribs can fall victim to injury from pushing yourself too far during long training sessions and not doing the correct warm-up exercises. This usually affects the middle back section of your ribcage and often isn’t felt at first.
You will eventually feel a pain in your chest that’s exaggerated when breathing deeply and coughing. It’s important to act on this as soon as possible and avoid heavy activity such as running until you can solve the issue. Introduce more simple activities such as ergometer training at first until you can get back onto the water.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries obtained by rowing include pain in the kneecap, tightness, and inflammation caused by iliotibial band friction syndrome. Pain in the kneecap is often experienced through movement such as squats or even walking upstairs and a clicking sensation is sometimes felt too. Undertaking a stretching program or using anti-inflammatory medication usually helps alleviate these issues.
As for iliotibial band friction syndrome, even simple remedies such as stretching exercises and ice can work, but it always pays to be sure and use medication or conduct an ultrasound if the pain persists.
Injuries In The Hand And Wrist
This is probably one of the most common places to have an injury when rowing, especially if you’re a beginner who isn’t used to utilizing their wrists as much. Hand blisters are easily solved with some dry sterile dressing, but there are worse injuries to consider.
During cold weather, rowers can develop extensor tenosynovitis, which is characterized by pain and swelling in the wrist and sometimes a creaky feeling. This is easily treated with medication, ice or a wrist splint. Avoid it by keeping your hands warm during winter.
Conclusion
These injuries may seem daunting to beginner rowers, but most are easily preventable if you’re careful. Be sure you have the right equipment because that makes a world of a difference – check out Rowing Reviews Hub com for ideas on home rowing machines.
If you do feel any pain, regardless of what your rowing companions say, always be sure to do the research and find the correct treatment before you end up with a permanent injury.
