EVALUATION OF OSTEOPATHIC PATTERNS AND RECURRING POSTURAL ALTERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ATHLETIC GESTURE IN THE ROWING ATHLETES

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The aim of the study is to verify the presence of any recurring fascial and postural patterns in Olympic-level rowing athletes, potentially related to the rowing type (sculling, right/left sweep rowing) and to the consequent specific biomechanics of the individual athlete during the technical rowing gesture.

Materials and Methods: The sample included 49 athletes from the Romanian National Rowing Team (24 male, 25 female), with an average age of 23 years. Participants in the study initially underwent a brief data collection and body weight measurement. An operator then performed the Zink and Lawson osteopathic test for the evaluation of fascial compensation patterns, while a second operator subsequently performed the baropodometric and stabilometric examinations, in statics and dynamics.

Results: The analysis of the data obtained showed a partial agreement with the initial study hypothesis, with 67.9% of sweep rowers showing a fascial compensation pattern consistent with the rowing side (p-value = 0.0354) and 75% of left sweep rowers showing a left translation of the center of gravity equal to about 16.31° (p-value > 0.05) during the execution of the half squat. Conversely, 66.67% of right sweep rowers showed a contralateral left center of gravity translation during the half squat, equal to approximately 18.62° (p-value > 0.05). Finally, the stabilometric evaluation with eyes closed showed an average instability of 43.3% lower by the scullers compared to the sweep rowers (p-value > 0.05).

Conclusions: Although most of the data examined do not present statistical significance, the results obtained seem to partially support the hypothesis of a high incidence of static and dynamic postural alterations in rowing athletes, potentially related both to the rowing type and to factors independent of the latter.