I took a full week off from swimming due to a vacation and my shoulders got progressively worse. I had more trouble sleeping on them as the days went by and they started to tighten and be painful to move through their range of motion. I would say it was a joint atrophy effect?
Back in the pool today I wouldn't say they were painful but very uncomfortable.
My conclusion is that stopping swimming is not the thing to do.
Anyon else with this experience?
Parents
Former Member
So true - When I am not swimming I do keep active. I have about ten loosening up exercise that I do. These of course are not stretching exercise. I also do some walking.
Always warm up and cool down when you are swimming. If I am not in the water for a few days the swim could even be just a warm up and cool down.
I guess it's been a month or more since I mentioned that the way to avoid sore shoulders is for swimmers to warm up and warm down for their events by swimming with lightly closed fists. Doing so "takes the load off" the shoulders while going easily through the motiins. You'll be glad you did!
So true - When I am not swimming I do keep active. I have about ten loosening up exercise that I do. These of course are not stretching exercise. I also do some walking.
Always warm up and cool down when you are swimming. If I am not in the water for a few days the swim could even be just a warm up and cool down.
I guess it's been a month or more since I mentioned that the way to avoid sore shoulders is for swimmers to warm up and warm down for their events by swimming with lightly closed fists. Doing so "takes the load off" the shoulders while going easily through the motiins. You'll be glad you did!
