About 66% of the US Olympic Swim Team has experienced some type of shoulder issue. The shoulder is a very complex joint that’s designed to permit a wide range of motion. In swimming, the shoulders are used not only to move but to propel the whole body against the resistance of the water.
Water is 800 times more resistant than air, therefore, even a slight imperfection within your technique can affect not only the performance and speed but can also further increase the amount of resistance you can get. Pulling arms straight back or crossing the arms on the hand entry can increase the stress on the shoulders.
Shoulders consist of various muscles that work together to move the arms. If one or more of these muscles is overactive or underactive, other muscles may have to compensate to perform the movement, leading to spasms.
Warming up and stretching is vital prior to overuse of the muscles. Skipping the stretching activity will result in muscle strain.
Overuse of muscles and joints can also place anybody at risk of developing a shoulder injury. For a swimmer, the risks are higher due to the nature of the sport.
A swimming injury is often associated with sharp pain. Radiating from the shoulder down to the elbow. The pain roots in the muscles.
Swimming, like repetitive overhead reaching, can exacerbate this pain. This condition is called shoulder tendonitis, an inflammation of the biceps and supraspinatus muscles in the shoulder. The pain is usually localized near the joint. But, it can also extend up the neck and shoulder or down the arm.
Swimmers are susceptible to shoulder pain for a variety of reasons. The repetitive overhead motions of swimming can cause inflammation and irritation in the rotator cuff muscles and tendons.
Have you experienced a shoulder injury? Our team of experts can help with the healing process. Book a consultation with us at N8 Family Chiropractic today.
Resources:
https://sportandspinalphysio.com.au/rotator-cuff-strengthening/
https://www.yourswimlog.com/how-to-fix-and-prevent-swimmers-shoulder/
https://rothmanortho.com/stories/blog/swimming-injury-prevention