Awhile ago, Terry asserted that there was an "epidemic" of shoulder injuries among young USS swimmers, which he asserted were all due to stroke defects. Is he right?
Lately, I've been polling parents of 12-15 year old girls and I have learned that they all seem to have nagging injuries, particularly shoulder problems: Tendonitis, scapular pain, knee pain, etc. From what I know about the practice schedules, I don't think the injuries are due to overtraining, although some put in yardage or have some pretty hard practices. None of the girls I know do doubles. They all appear to be in puberty, and perhaps the changes in their bodies account for some of this pain. I'm sure some of it is due to bad technique too. I see a lot of lack of sufficient rotation on freestyle for example. But it's very annoying. Everyone is in PT or pain. I worry that some of these girls, including my own, will quit because they are tired of battling pain.
Another thought. Elsewhere I read that one program started their girls on RC stuff beginning at age 10 and kids doing these exercises have had fewer shoulder problems. Should this be started at a young age? I know my kid is doing them.
I have also heard of this problem mainly among girls. I don't know boys with shoulder problems. But that is likely due to the fact that I know more girls because I have a girl.
Thoughts?
While I was rehab'ing my shoulder this past winter, due to a swim injury, I was amazed at the number of children/teens that were receiving services. I asked my physical therapist why he thought this was - he replied poor coaching and conditioning, overuse/no down time - esp with some sports year round and unrealistic training regimes. It is one thing to see an old fart like me in rehab it is another to see children and teens due to sports injuries.
Redbird - I think there needs to be more parents like you. Bravo!! :banana:
Tom:
I agree with you, of course. It's what I've said all along, and my own docs tell me my labrum issue derives principally from past overuse. I just worry seeing so many kids with shoulder issues.
Chickadee notes this trend too. I'm sure some injuries may be due to poor coaching, but when you've got a gaggle of kids in the water, it's hard to correct strokes for every one on every lap -- unless you're George. I'm sure some injuries are also due to heavy training. I know an 11 year old who swims about 10 x week. But I think early RC education would be the key toward combating the problem whatever it's origin.
(Not to be controversial, but I would also note that in my limited experience, I have not run across that many PTs who are super knowledgable about swimming injuries. I've heard many of them prescribe "rest" and that is not the answer -- unless it's the usual rest of 2-4 weeks or whatever between seasons. It's better to see someone who has at least a sub-specialty in swimming.)
At the beginning of the SC season, all kids in the senior groups on my daughter's team were required to attend an all day seminar on swimming where they were lectured and got instruction on all aspects of swimming, including conditioning, injury prevention and nutrition. This would seem like a good start. Although it's tough to get kids to grasp the concept of injury "prevention." They only tell you once it hurts. And unfortunately, I think some confuse normal soreness with injury pain.
While I was rehab'ing my shoulder this past winter, due to a swim injury, I was amazed at the number of children/teens that were receiving services. I asked my physical therapist why he thought this was - he replied poor coaching and conditioning, overuse/no down time - esp with some sports year round and unrealistic training regimes. It is one thing to see an old fart like me in rehab it is another to see children and teens due to sports injuries.
Redbird - I think there needs to be more parents like you. Bravo!! :banana:
Tom:
I agree with you, of course. It's what I've said all along, and my own docs tell me my labrum issue derives principally from past overuse. I just worry seeing so many kids with shoulder issues.
Chickadee notes this trend too. I'm sure some injuries may be due to poor coaching, but when you've got a gaggle of kids in the water, it's hard to correct strokes for every one on every lap -- unless you're George. I'm sure some injuries are also due to heavy training. I know an 11 year old who swims about 10 x week. But I think early RC education would be the key toward combating the problem whatever it's origin.
(Not to be controversial, but I would also note that in my limited experience, I have not run across that many PTs who are super knowledgable about swimming injuries. I've heard many of them prescribe "rest" and that is not the answer -- unless it's the usual rest of 2-4 weeks or whatever between seasons. It's better to see someone who has at least a sub-specialty in swimming.)
At the beginning of the SC season, all kids in the senior groups on my daughter's team were required to attend an all day seminar on swimming where they were lectured and got instruction on all aspects of swimming, including conditioning, injury prevention and nutrition. This would seem like a good start. Although it's tough to get kids to grasp the concept of injury "prevention." They only tell you once it hurts. And unfortunately, I think some confuse normal soreness with injury pain.
