Is active rowing time associated with lateral epicondylitis symptoms in rowers?

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the relationship between active rowing time, pain, function, and strength in rowers. Methods: Forty volunteer rowers from Turkish National Rowing Team participated in the study. Rowers’ gross and fine grip strength, muscle strength, and symptoms of lateral epicondylitis was evaluated by the same physiotherapist. Results: The mean age was 21.4±4.3 year of rowers. The mean results of right gross grip was 91.3±25.2 kgf, left gross grip 89.7±18.0 kgf, right fine grip 24.6±5.2 kgf, left fine grip 23.0±4.6 kgf. The manual muscle testing results were for extensor carpi radialis longus on right 5.0±0.0, on left 4.9±0.3, extensor carpi radialis brevis on right 5.0±0.0, on left 4.9±0.3, extensor pollicis longus on right 5.0±0.0, on left 4.9±0.3, extensor digitorum communis on right 4.6±0.5, on left 4.3±0.7. The Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation pain subscale score was 10.5±6.2, function subscale score was 7.9±3.4 and total score was 18.4±8.6 points. There was statistically significant relationship between grip, muscle strength and “Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation” scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant relationship between lateral epicondylitis symptoms, grip strength and muscle testing in rowers. The reason for this, we conclude that the number of cases was low and active rowing times of the cases are not uniformly distributed. Reducing symptoms with equipment modifications is recommended as protective rehabilitation