Swimming is one of many sports that places stress on an athlete's shoulders. The higher the level of competition, the more of a burden a swimmer places on his muscles and joints. Professor of Orthopaedics and Sports Science Lennard Funk noted that competitive swimmers may swim an estimated 6 to 8 miles per day while training. Proper training helps build sound fundamentals. At the same time, working out too hard is one of the main causes of shoulder injuries in swimmers.
Shoulder Anatomy
The shoulder is made up of three bones and three main joints. The bones are the scapula, or shoulder blade, the clavicle, otherwise known as the collar bone, and the arm bone, the humerus. The Glenohumeral joint is the ball joint that provides rotation. The acromioclavicular joint allows you to move your arms above your head, and the sternoclavicular joint, which is central in stressful movements such as throwing or pushing.
Swimmer's Shoulder
One of the most common swimming ailments is swimmer's shoulder, in which the shoulder becomes inflamed from overuse, according to the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma. The source of swimmer's shoulder begins with the mechanics of the stroke. The pull-through is when the hand drives through the water, putting stress on the muscles. During the recovery phase the arm moves out of the water and rotates through the rest of the stroke. Muscles are prone to fatigue during this phase.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Swimmers can also suffer from severe injuries to the shoulder, specifically the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is made up of the muscles that help provide stability and rotation in the shoulder. An acute tear is caused by a quick, traumatic movement that puts extreme stress on the muscles and joints. The swimmer gets a tearing sensation in the shoulder, then a sharp pain through the arm. A chronic tear is the result from stress on the shoulder over a stretch of time.
Prevention
The best way for swimmers to avoid shoulder injuries is going through a full warmup before competing and using the proper fundamentals in the water. Body rotation is step one. The body should swing from side to side with each stroke so that the chest points toward the sides of the pool. This will put less stress on the shoulders as they move. Your hand should enter the water fingers first. In addition, proper posture will help create better mechanics.
Posted in: