My therapist suggested that I return to full stroke swimming even though I am not fully recovered from my injury. My rotator muscles are still relatively weak and have a low level of stamina but he thinks that swimming without PAIN will speed the recovery process. It should help me gain stamina and strength as well as allow my cuff muscles to re-coordinate themselves with each other. I was swimming about a mile a day when I was injured so where should I aim for now? The therapist said to stay away from pain but left it at that. Should I cut it down to 800 yards pain free? Should I swim a mile if I can do it pain free? I am also planning on doing my exercises after I swim so that my shoulders are fresh when I get in the water. Is that a good plan?
Parents
Former Member
Since it's been a coupla months since anybody has mentioned the virtues of swimming with lightly closed fists (or virtually the same thing, using fist gloves), I seems to me that the time and place is ripe. It will effectively "take the load off" the shoulders and just might let you swim painlessly.
Sure, it will feel awkward for the first several strokes, but soon it will feel natural. It is good for any of the competitive strokes. Expect it to be ten percent slower once you become accustomed to it, but maybe you won't have to take off a week or a month from swimming altogether.
Since it's been a coupla months since anybody has mentioned the virtues of swimming with lightly closed fists (or virtually the same thing, using fist gloves), I seems to me that the time and place is ripe. It will effectively "take the load off" the shoulders and just might let you swim painlessly.
Sure, it will feel awkward for the first several strokes, but soon it will feel natural. It is good for any of the competitive strokes. Expect it to be ten percent slower once you become accustomed to it, but maybe you won't have to take off a week or a month from swimming altogether.
