PROBABLE CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN IN ELITE SWIMMERS

Pollard, B. (January, 2001). The prevalence of shoulder pain in elite level British swimmers and the effects of training technique. British Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association, [https://www.bscta.com/]

Shoulder pain and estimates of training experiences were elicited from returned questionnaires from 105 serious British swimmers.

Age group (18%) and senior (35%) swimmers reported current shoulder pain. The highest relationship with shoulder pain was meters swum per week. As well, the percentage of training using crawl stroke technique was related to shoulder pain. Swimmers believed that using hand paddles, weight training, increasing distance swum, and kicking with a board aggravated shoulder pain.

Implication. For swimmers suffering shoulder pain, the amount of swimming performed is perceived to be related to the pain. As well, supplemental training experiences are perceived to aggravate the pain.

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