Shoulder Injury/technique

[[old] michaelb]

I developed a shoulder injury over winter (technically, an "impingement" of one of the rotator cuff tendons). I was rowing a lot at the time, and rowing definitely aggravated it, but I don't think this was caused by rowing. My theory is that it was using the mouse at the computer at work; but I also play volleyball, and that can be tough on the shoulders too. In any case, I stopped rowing in March and have been trying to recover by rest and physical therapy. I tried rowing just a little the last few days, and that seemed to go fine, so I would like to start rowing again.<br><br>One of the exercises in PT is "rowing" with the arms using a rubber band attached to the door handle. In doing this, they want me to pinch my shoulder blades together at the end of the motion. I don't think I do this when actually rowing, but I think I have read on the old forum or the UK forum that correct rowing technique includes finishing the stroke with the elbows going back? Should I be finishing the stroke by pinching the shoulder blades?<br><br>Also, I had been rowing strapless for the past year, and one of the things I noticed about that change is that it "moved" my stroke forward: instead of leaning back at the finish, I was reaching forward more at the catch. Reaching out at the catch, did seem to add length and power to the stroke, but now I am wondering if rolling the shoulders forward at the catch to gain a few inches of length is proper, or if that was part of the problem. On a side note, I just raised the footplates up a hole, and that seemed to "shorten" my stroke while adding leg power, so I may row that way for a while.<br><br>Finally, I am thinking of ordering the Model D handle. Do you think that will help at the finish by having the hands at the slight angle?<br><br>Thanks for any input.

[[old] eurofoot13]

I have always been told that, yes, for a strong finish, you must pinch your shoulder blades together (at least as far as you can) as you draw the handle in with your arms. this uses the strongest muscles in the body, the lats, to pull the handle in, not the smaller accessory muscles, which may have contributed to your injury

[[old] Rocket Roy]

Micheal,<br><br> I would say to get further forward you should tilt at the waist, but keep your back upright with the shoulders back. <br><br> But I think leaning in at the catch with the shoulders would put serious strain on the shoilder bits and pieces.

[[old] Canoeist]

Micheal B, <br><br>I find that strapless rowing causes me not to lean back as much at the end of the stroke. I also find that I don't fully extend my legs either.<br><br>Raising the foot height seems to give me more leg drive too.<br><br>At the end of the stroke, the bar is hitting my chest. The only way to do this is to have the elbows pass the body and "pinching" the shoulder blades together. Just what your PT wants you to do.<br><br>Good luck in your recovery,<br><br>Paul Flack