Injury Prevention
With the weather improving in Canberra comes the natural desire to spend more time down at the boat sheds training in readiness for the summer racing season. With that comes an increase in the volume and intensity of training, but also a greater risk and susceptibility to injury if we don’t look after ourselves properly. It is vital that sessions are bookended with thorough and appropriate warm up and warm down routines.
Warming up and down first and foremost is about injury prevention, ensuring our bodies are activated and readied to endure the stress of training and racing through a full range of motion that we are put through in the rowing stroke.
Continuity of training is key improving performance on the water, so whilst the immediate outcome of warming up and down is focused on injury prevention, there is a clear connection to improved long term performance also.
Below are links to Rowing Australia’s recommended set of exercises that you can build your routine with. Rowing Australia has also produced a handy video on the topic with hints and tips from athletes and their professional support staff that hopefully can add further guidance to your individual situation.
