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?
Parents
Former Member
From what I've read, you don't want to stretch cold muscles. I've also read that stretching immediately before exercise can (transiently) reduce muscle strength.
When I played football (soccer) sensible and with some fitness, we'd arrive jog gently around the pitch stretch a bit then jog again stretch off a bit more then knock the ball about for a bit. THen you'd take a 5-10 minute talk, sort out positions, who was buying the beer, etc then get on the field and play. Some guys never rested up before kick off...I never got that. Stretching should be the easing of muscles into action. I don't really stretch much with swimming...I do it in the water...50..stretch...50 stretch etc and increase the intesity of the 50...not had too much trouble...RC nigglies is about it.
Just curious how you consider this process Gull, think that's right (well obcioulsy right depends othe individual).
From what I've read, you don't want to stretch cold muscles. I've also read that stretching immediately before exercise can (transiently) reduce muscle strength.
When I played football (soccer) sensible and with some fitness, we'd arrive jog gently around the pitch stretch a bit then jog again stretch off a bit more then knock the ball about for a bit. THen you'd take a 5-10 minute talk, sort out positions, who was buying the beer, etc then get on the field and play. Some guys never rested up before kick off...I never got that. Stretching should be the easing of muscles into action. I don't really stretch much with swimming...I do it in the water...50..stretch...50 stretch etc and increase the intesity of the 50...not had too much trouble...RC nigglies is about it.
Just curious how you consider this process Gull, think that's right (well obcioulsy right depends othe individual).
