Here is something new (the document states 9/24/07) from the USA Swimming site by George T. Edelman, MPT, OCS, MTC: Shoulder Stretching: Helpful or Harmful? (Accompanying PowerPoint)
The conclusion is:
• Cognitive shift in stretching programs
• Stretching is athlete specific
• Shoulder stretches that target the glenohumeral joint capsule can be harmful to the swimmer and are strongly discouraged
• Stretches that target the muscle tissue and respect the musculo-tendon unit - encouraged
Naturally, according to George, I've been doing the exact wrong exercises. &^@#.
What do y'all think of this? Fort?
Mark
Parents
Former Member
25 years ago when I swam competitively (and our starts were the old style flat ones) I hurt my right RC on a cold start. I felt/heard something snap. It wasn't a race so even though my arms on entry where extended in a streamline position, they were loose and the left arm was kind of snapped up (back) almost like a whiplash effect. Hours later not even cortisone shots would relieve the pain. It took me some months to get back to normal.
I had a similar experience at my first Masters meet four years ago. It happened during warmup. The MRI was negative, but I suspected a small tear of the labrum. My physical therapist incorporated scapular stabilization exercises into my home RC program. My understanding is that the muscles that stabilize the scapula (shoulder blade) need to be able to react almost instantaneously to sudden and changing forces (diving, butterfly, even catching a baseball) to prevent forward movement of the head of the humerus, which results in impingement and injury. The only "stretching" exercises I do are a few gentle arm circles before I get in the water. Interestingly, after four years of rehab I don't hear/feel popping and clicking anymore when I do this.
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Former Member
25 years ago when I swam competitively (and our starts were the old style flat ones) I hurt my right RC on a cold start. I felt/heard something snap. It wasn't a race so even though my arms on entry where extended in a streamline position, they were loose and the left arm was kind of snapped up (back) almost like a whiplash effect. Hours later not even cortisone shots would relieve the pain. It took me some months to get back to normal.
I had a similar experience at my first Masters meet four years ago. It happened during warmup. The MRI was negative, but I suspected a small tear of the labrum. My physical therapist incorporated scapular stabilization exercises into my home RC program. My understanding is that the muscles that stabilize the scapula (shoulder blade) need to be able to react almost instantaneously to sudden and changing forces (diving, butterfly, even catching a baseball) to prevent forward movement of the head of the humerus, which results in impingement and injury. The only "stretching" exercises I do are a few gentle arm circles before I get in the water. Interestingly, after four years of rehab I don't hear/feel popping and clicking anymore when I do this.
