| The field of biomechanics is often challenged with the tasks of increasing performance and decreasing injury in sport. In rowing, sport biomechanists have often investigated both performance variables and injury mechanisms, yet there has been little effort, or at least published work, towards either task in para-rowing, an area of rowing geared towards including individuals with disability in sport. The purpose of this research was twofold: One, validate the use of a commercially available software program, Classic JACK, typically used for analysis of occupational tasks to analyze the biomechanics of the para-rowing strokes. Two, identify the kinematics and kinetics of the para-rowing strokes, and further investigate proposed mechanisms of injury from the able bodied literature.;The kinematics and handle force kinetics of the LTA stroke were found to be consistent with previously reported data in the able bodied literature. Lumbar flexion at the catch, extension at the finish, and total range of motion were greater than previously reported in the literature, which may be a representation of 1) the level of skill of the participants or 2) participants attempting to row maximally and adjusting their technique to achieve performance through increasing stroke length and force application. Additionally, rowers utilized greater ranges of motions at specific joints in the TA and AS setups in comparison to the LTA setup. In the TA setup, lumbar flexion, extension, and total range of motion were significantly greater than that of LTA rowing. Similarly, the amount of elbow flexion and shoulder abduction at the finish increased by setup LTA |
