BalancePoint Health Benefits

The Balance Point oar handle is designed to reduce back strain and injury by reducing the asymmetry in a rowing stroke. However, it is important to remember that no amount of technology is a sufficient substitute for proper training and technique.

Disc Injuries
Disc injury is frequent in the rowing world because of the large demands the sport puts on the athlete's back. The combined effects of bending forward, twisting, and pulling put an extraordinary load on the wall of the disc and can lead to a serious injury. The figure below shows how the twisting of the back is significantly reduced when a BalancePoint handle is used.

The figure to the left shows two rowers at the catch. The top rower (blue) is using a conventional oar, and must accommodate the angle of the oar by twisting his back. The second rower (black) is using a BalancePoint pivoting handle, and is able to keep her shoulders perpendicular to the direction of force. By minimizing the twist of the spine, the BalancePoint handle reduces the stresses on the back and discs, which should help to reduce injury and pain.

Back Muscle Sprains and Strains
Perhaps the most common type of injury in rowing is strained or sprained back muscles. Particularly common in sweep rowing are injuries of the erector spinae muscles which stabilize the spinal column. These injuries are caused by the unequal loading across the back and shoulders when using a standard sweep oar, which causes a net torque along the axis of the spine. The BalancePoint handle forces the rower to apply equal pressure with both arms, therefore balancing the forces across the shoulders and back and reducing torque on the spine.  

• Review of the BalancePoint by Michael J. Totta, M.D.
• Back Strength and Safety
• Common Sports Injuries in Rowing

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