Are shoulder injuries caused solely by improper stroke mechanics? Can we avoid all pain using perfect technique? Can we throw away the ice pack forever? Or can shoulder pain be caused by other factors as well? Vote if you have an opinion.
My personal experience from swimming for 32 years (I used to do a lot of fly!) and coaching for 12 years - fly IS hard on your shoulders - even with excellent technique. There are way too many variables to say it is due to technique alone. I think it comes down to anatomy and how your shoulder is put together. Fly is not a "normal" position to put your shoulder in over and over for any amount of yardage. If you are genetically predisposed to have loose joints you would be more apt to have problems....its that simple. Why else would Natalie Coughlin or Misty Hyman have shoulder problems? I wouldn't say their technique was bad! Countless other Olympic caliber swimmers with excellent technique have had shoulder problems/surgery.
My personal experience from swimming for 32 years (I used to do a lot of fly!) and coaching for 12 years - fly IS hard on your shoulders - even with excellent technique. There are way too many variables to say it is due to technique alone. I think it comes down to anatomy and how your shoulder is put together. Fly is not a "normal" position to put your shoulder in over and over for any amount of yardage. If you are genetically predisposed to have loose joints you would be more apt to have problems....its that simple. Why else would Natalie Coughlin or Misty Hyman have shoulder problems? I wouldn't say their technique was bad! Countless other Olympic caliber swimmers with excellent technique have had shoulder problems/surgery.
