Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Wilson F;Ng L;O'Sullivan K;Caneiro JP;O'Sullivan PP;Horgan A;Thornton JS;Wilkie K;Timonen V;
2021
March
British journal of sports medicine
'You're the best liar in the world': a grounded theory study of rowing athletes' experience of low back pain.
Published
6 ()
Optional Fields
55
6
Low back pain (LBP) is common in rowers and leads to considerable disability and even retirement. The athlete voice can help clinicians to better understand sport-related pain disorders. We aimed to capture the lived experience of LBP in rowers. Cross-sectional qualitative study using a grounded theory approach. Adult competitive rowers with a rowing-related LBP history were recruited in Australia and Ireland. Data were collected through interviews that explored: context around the time of onset of their LBP and their subsequent journey, experiences of management/treatment, perspectives around present beliefs, fears, barriers and expectations for the future. The 25 rowers (12 women/13 men) who participated were aged 18-50 years; they had a mean 12.1 years of rowing experience. They discussed a culture of concealment of pain from coaches and teammates, and fear of being judged as 'weak' because of the limitations caused by LBP. They reported fear and isolation as a result of their pain. They felt that the culture within rowing supported this. They reported inconsistent messages regarding management from medical staff. Some rowers reported being in a system where openness was encouraged-they regarded this a leading to better outcomes and influencing their LBP experience. Rowers' lived experience of LBP was influenced by a pervasive culture of secrecy around symptoms. Rowers and support staff should be educated regarding the benefits of early disclosure and rowers should be supported to do so without judgement.
1473-0480
10.1136/bjsports-2020-102514
Grant Details