Abstract
Context: Competitive swimming has become an increasingly popular sport in the United States. In 2007, more than 250 000 competitive swimmers were registered with USA Swimming, the national governing body. The average competitive swimmer swims approximately 60 000 to 80 000 m per week. With a typical count of 8 to 10 strokes per 25-m lap, each shoulder performs 30 000 rotations each week. This places tremendous stress on the shoulder girdle musculature and glenohumeral joint, and it is why shoulder pain is the most frequent musculoskeletal complaint among competitive swimmers. Evidence Acquisition: Articles were obtained through a variety of medical search sources, including Medline, Google Scholar, and review articles from 1980 through January 2010. Results: The most common cause of shoulder pain in swimmers is supraspinatus tendinopathy. Glenohumeral instability and labral tears have also been reported, but a paucity of information remains regarding prevalence and treatment in swimmers. Conclusion: Because of the great number of stroke repetitions and force generated through the upper extremity, the shoulder is uniquely vulnerable to injury in the competitive swimmer. Comprehensive evaluation should include the entire kinetic chain, including trunk strength and core stability.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 519-525 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Sports Health |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2010 |
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Keywords
- Biomechanics
- Swim strokes
- Swimmer's shoulder
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Cite this
Biomechanical considerations in the competitive swimmer's shoulder. / Heinlein, Scott A.; Cosgarea, Andrew J.
In: Sports Health, Vol. 2, No. 6, 11.2010, p. 519-525.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Biomechanical considerations in the competitive swimmer's shoulder
AU - Heinlein, Scott A.
AU - Cosgarea, Andrew J
PY - 2010/11
Y1 - 2010/11
N2 - Context: Competitive swimming has become an increasingly popular sport in the United States. In 2007, more than 250 000 competitive swimmers were registered with USA Swimming, the national governing body. The average competitive swimmer swims approximately 60 000 to 80 000 m per week. With a typical count of 8 to 10 strokes per 25-m lap, each shoulder performs 30 000 rotations each week. This places tremendous stress on the shoulder girdle musculature and glenohumeral joint, and it is why shoulder pain is the most frequent musculoskeletal complaint among competitive swimmers. Evidence Acquisition: Articles were obtained through a variety of medical search sources, including Medline, Google Scholar, and review articles from 1980 through January 2010. Results: The most common cause of shoulder pain in swimmers is supraspinatus tendinopathy. Glenohumeral instability and labral tears have also been reported, but a paucity of information remains regarding prevalence and treatment in swimmers. Conclusion: Because of the great number of stroke repetitions and force generated through the upper extremity, the shoulder is uniquely vulnerable to injury in the competitive swimmer. Comprehensive evaluation should include the entire kinetic chain, including trunk strength and core stability.
AB - Context: Competitive swimming has become an increasingly popular sport in the United States. In 2007, more than 250 000 competitive swimmers were registered with USA Swimming, the national governing body. The average competitive swimmer swims approximately 60 000 to 80 000 m per week. With a typical count of 8 to 10 strokes per 25-m lap, each shoulder performs 30 000 rotations each week. This places tremendous stress on the shoulder girdle musculature and glenohumeral joint, and it is why shoulder pain is the most frequent musculoskeletal complaint among competitive swimmers. Evidence Acquisition: Articles were obtained through a variety of medical search sources, including Medline, Google Scholar, and review articles from 1980 through January 2010. Results: The most common cause of shoulder pain in swimmers is supraspinatus tendinopathy. Glenohumeral instability and labral tears have also been reported, but a paucity of information remains regarding prevalence and treatment in swimmers. Conclusion: Because of the great number of stroke repetitions and force generated through the upper extremity, the shoulder is uniquely vulnerable to injury in the competitive swimmer. Comprehensive evaluation should include the entire kinetic chain, including trunk strength and core stability.
KW - Biomechanics
KW - Swim strokes
KW - Swimmer's shoulder
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84856249781&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84856249781&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1941738110377611
DO - 10.1177/1941738110377611
M3 - Article
C2 - 23015983
AN - SCOPUS:84856249781
VL - 2
SP - 519
EP - 525
JO - Sports Health
JF - Sports Health
SN - 1941-7381
IS - 6
ER -