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?
Former Member
And I am the queen of overuse right now building toward an 18 mile swim, but I'll probably retire my swimsuit after that one.
Not before you show up and swim at a meet with us though, right?
I don't see why swimming would be any different from other sports these days in terms of premature teen injuries. There was a very interesting report on Real Sports (HBO) concerning the increased rate of major elbow injuries in teen baseball players. Little league is taking steps to institute pitch counts and prohibition on pitches that harm young, still developing, arms (curve ball). I have also known two teen girls lately who had ACL surgeries from soccer.
Absolutely, freak acident's aside, there are considerations for over use on young developing bodies. I've read weight training should be avoided on under 16's.
OK where are the four horsemen? I'm agreeing with Geek.... :laugh2:
Gull posted a great link maybe a year or so ago to an article re: inherent shoulder issues. I believe the article discussed how a certain percentage of the population had a downward sloping acromion (sp? - the bone that goes across the top of your shoulder. The humerus hangs below this) and were highly predisposed to impingment type shoulder injuries from repeated overhead motion. I think the article even recommended that elite level swimmers have surgery to shave off the end of the acromion.
Gull, was it you that posted this link? If so, can you re-post? I can't find it... and my anatomy recollection sucks so I don't know if what I typed above makes any sense.
Current thought that I've read in various sports magazines is that more people get hurt with poor stretching then no stretching at all so don't. Plus, they point to no one can actually prove that stretching has ever helped except anecdotally.
Yeah, it seems like you ever hear a lot of conflicting information on stretching. I think the best course of action is to just make sure you warm up properly in the pool, really making sure to keep your stroke long and loose before you start to do any fast swimming.
Colin:
I love how you end every post with a banana and bouncy thing! That avatar of yours make me worry about injury though.
No worries. I don't squat heavy like that anymore, it was making me feel old. Ironically, I feel that squatting actually has helped strengthen my lower back. I've been fortunate to have avoided any serious problems. As for the emoticons, how can you not have a good day (or night) when looking at those?
:wave:
Kids shouldn't lift heavy weights until the growth plates in their bones close. I have read a lot about pros and cons of stretching. The consensus seems to be that stretching warmed up muscles is beneficial if done slowly with no pain. Anything that stretches tendons is bad.
I heard the great debate on stretching too.
As a kid we were forced to do ballistic stretches, bouncing to reach farther. Then, ballistic stretches were bad and you were to hold a stretch, but always on cold muscles.
:doh:
More recently, the theory was to warm-up then stretch. This evolved into warm-up, workout, then stretch as a precursor to your next workout. (I still do this):dunno:
Current thought that I've read in various sports magazines is that more people get hurt with poor stretching then no stretching at all so don't. Plus, they point to no one can actually prove that stretching has ever helped except anecdotally.
There seems to be a lower and lower age where professional atheletes peak.
Honestly I think you're way off base. I'll bet you statistically professional athletes are able to extend their careers longer now than ever before. Not to say there isn't still room for improvement. Certainly in swimming there are an increasing number of athletes able to compete post-college, although I think this has a lot more to do with financial issues as opposed to injuries.
