Change in the activity of trunk and lower limb muscles during 2000-m rowing

This study aimed to clarify the changes in the activity of the trunk and lower limb muscles during 2000-m rowing. Ten male rowers performed a 2000-m race simulation on a rowing ergometer. Electromyography results of the abdominal muscles, back muscles, gluteus maximus (GMax), biceps femoris (BF), and rectus femoris (RF) were recorded. The electromyographic activity during the three strokes after the start (initial stage), at 1000m (middle stage), and before the end (final stage) were analyzed. From the handle position, the rowing motion was divided into five phases (early-drive, middle-drive, late-drive, early-recovery, and late-recovery). The peak activities of the abdominal muscles, back muscles, GMax, and BF in each stroke of the rowing motion were delayed at the middle and final stages compared to the initial stage (P < 0.05). The peak activity of the RF was observed in the late-drive phase at the initial stage, whereas a high RF activity was observed in the middle-drive phase at the middle and final stages (P < 0.05). Considering the results of the activity of the back muscles and RF, RF muscular endurance enhancement may lead to a decrease in the load on the back muscles and help prevent muscular low back pain in rowers.