I have been swimming almost a year and as I am getting "better" I have been upping my distance and workout frequency.
I have slowly worked my way up to swimming three times a week and the distance is about 1500-2000yds a workout. I mix up intervals and straight swims. Mainly long swims in the summer and intervals in the winter. I think my approach has been rational thus far.
However, my left shoulder has started to bother me. I have made adjustments to my mechanics and as long as I don't let it get out too far from my body I can deal with it. Right now my left arm is really only along for the ride so to speak and I can't really crank on it the way I would like to generate full power.
I have talked with more experienced swimmers who have gone through shoulder issues. I am just working through it and hope it will subside.
What is likely going on in my shoulder? Is it just inflamation? What advice can you give? Should I just work through it at reduced intensity? Any specific workouts in or out of the water to help? I am freestyle only.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by rtodd
For those who are responding, are your shoulder problems from previous sports? Left shoulder/right shoulder/ both? Are you left/righty? Just trying to find a pattern.
Although I'm right handed, most of my problems have been with my left shoulder, which is the side I breathe on. An MRI showed some arthritic changes. From what I've read, I don't believe you can attribute swimmer's shoulder to overuse. I think the poblem is anatomic--the shoulder joint is really not that inherently stable, consequently weakness of the supporting muscles can lead to impingement, inflammation, and tears. Conventional dry land exercises do not address the small muscles which comprise the rotator cuff. More recently, attention has been focused on stabilization of the scapula as well.
Originally posted by rtodd
For those who are responding, are your shoulder problems from previous sports? Left shoulder/right shoulder/ both? Are you left/righty? Just trying to find a pattern.
Although I'm right handed, most of my problems have been with my left shoulder, which is the side I breathe on. An MRI showed some arthritic changes. From what I've read, I don't believe you can attribute swimmer's shoulder to overuse. I think the poblem is anatomic--the shoulder joint is really not that inherently stable, consequently weakness of the supporting muscles can lead to impingement, inflammation, and tears. Conventional dry land exercises do not address the small muscles which comprise the rotator cuff. More recently, attention has been focused on stabilization of the scapula as well.
