Prevalence of eating disordered behavior in collegiate lightweight women rowers and distance runners.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined eating behavior in collegiate women lightweight rowers, runners, and controls. It was hypothesized that rowers would show an increased prevalence of restraint in their eating behaviors, but not probable eating disorder cases as compared with runners or controls, because they are required to make their target weight but are discouraged from further weight loss. DESIGN: Retrospective survey. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Lightweight women rowers (n = 122) at eastern collegiate championship regattas, collegiate distance runners (n = 79) at a regional track meet, and a convenience sample of collegiate controls (n = 95) were surveyed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire, a validated questionnaire evaluating eating attitudes and behaviors, and additional questions regarding weight and menstrual history were used to assess probable eating disorder cases and disordered eating tendencies. RESULTS: Rowers showed significantly more restraint in eating patterns during the previous month and less shape concern than either runners or controls. Rowers also reported increased use of diuretics. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of probable cases of eating disorders or disordered eating behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Lightweight rowing and distance running were not associated with increased prevalence of eating disorders in this sample, although rowing was associated with increased restraint and diuretic misuse. This use of pathologic weight-making behaviors is of significant clinical concern. These results support ongoing monitoring of disturbed eating and weight-making practices in weight-dependent sports, but do not support discouraging the growth of lightweight women's rowing at the collegiate level.

Rowing injuries: identifying and treating musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal conditions.

Rowing-whether on the water or with machines-is increasingly popular, and, as with any strenuous exercise, the potential for injury is high. Rowers may have common symptoms, such as low-back and knee pain, or more sport-specific problems such as rib stress fractures, nerve impingement, and blisters. Virtually all rowing injuries are due to overuse, and many can be traced to training errors or equipment problems. Understanding the mechanics of rowing, the equipment, and the training procedures is essential for the physician caring for injured rowers.

Rib stress fractures in elite rowers. A case series and proposed mechanism.

The potential cause of stress fractures of the rib in elite rowers was examined by a retrospective review of 14 fractures in 10 patients. Fractures occurred on the antero- to posterolateral aspects of ribs 5 through 9 and were most often associated with long-distance training and heavy load per stroke. A review of the literature yields striking similarities between these stress fractures and fractures caused by cough. It is suggested that actions of the serratus anterior and external oblique muscles on the rib cause stress fracture because of the repetitive bending forces in both rowing and coughing. A technique involving less use of both muscles through a truncated arm pull-through and a decreased layback position at the end of the stroke, and equipment changes to decrease length of the lever arm, should yield a decreased risk of rib stress fractures in rowing.