Epidemiological Characteristics of Injuries Among Rowing Athletes Based on Gender and Age: A Retrospective Study

To develop a prevention program for rowing-related injuries, it is crucial to study the epidemiological characteristics of injuries among Chinese rowing athletes. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and incidence of injuries among Chinese rowing athletes aged 12–24 years. A retrospective study was conducted in 2024 among 207 rowing athletes in China using a rowing-specific questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised two sections: the first section collected basic information, including gender, age, height, weight, years of training experience, daily training hours, weekly training days, and weekly training hours; the second section collected information on rowing-related injuries over the past year, including injury locations, mechanisms, and severity. An injury was defined as a physical complaint with time loss and/or medical care. Rowing-related injuries were normalized to rates per 1000 training hours and per 1000 training sessions, calculated using the Poisson distribution based on age and gender. A total of 131 injuries were reported, including 51 (38.9%) acute-onset and 80 gradual-onset (61.1%) injuries. The lower back was the most common site (39.7%, 52 cases), followed by the knee and shoulder. Over two-thirds of the injuries caused less than a week’s absence from rowing. The overall injury rate per 1000 training hours was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.38–0.54), and the overall injury rate per 1000 training sessions was 2.16 (95% CI: 1.79–2.53). Rowing-related injuries were significantly associated with gender (OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.37–9.02, p = 0.009) and BMI (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.33–9.95, p = 0.012). Among Chinese rowing athletes, injuries frequently occurred, especially in female athletes. Lower back injuries were the most common, followed by knee and shoulder injuries. This study contributes to improving injury prevention and early detection in high-risk anatomical regions and vulnerable athletes among elite rowers.