Forearm Problem

Wookie, Are you left-handed? If so, are you on the computer much more than normal? I can definitely notice a tension difference between my forearms after extended work on the computer because of the extra strain put on the arm using the mouse. It hasn't reached pain, but I do notice it in the pool. Patrick- right handed. I use the mouse with my right hand. When I type, my right doesn't get bothered, just the left. I hold the phone with my left, cell phone with the left too. What I don't get is why it bothers me swimming freestyle but nothing else.

Do you tense your left hand when you swim or keep it relaxed? I try to keep it relaxed, esp. on the recovery but it still gets tight.

If the fist gloves were still made of a good quality material, then that would work. Ever since they were sold off to another company, they are nothing more than a cheap, flimsy material that cost you 10 bucks on a weekly basis. Well, you could always just buy a pair of small nylon socks from a discount store and cut a small hole in the heel for your thumb. I've seen people doing that. They'd have to fit snugly dry so as not to stretch too much in the water. Wrist braces (the black kind that you see cashiers wearing in stores) are also good for resting the tendons enough to let them heal. They're hot and itchy, and you have to wear them even in bed, but they do seem to work. Vivebene's idea of switching hands is good, too.

Quick hijack: The mouse is best used in left hand. I'm right-handed. It took about 3 days of overshoot before the left hand became as accurate as the right. Now I switch between R and L hands.

I'm having this problem (work related) right now as well. I have to focus on not spreading my fingers out to try to catch more water as I stroke. Fist Gloves or Hungarian "Turtle" paddles seem to help because they prevent me from doing that, making me catch with the forearm alone. I use them for the first 20 minutes of a swim to reinforce the relaxed hand feeling. Massage also helps. After a massage, lots of ice, or soaking the whole forearm in cold salt water.

I'm having this problem (work related) right now as well. I have to focus on not spreading my fingers out to try to catch more water as I stroke. Fist Gloves or Hungarian "Turtle" paddles seem to help because they prevent me from doing that, making me catch with the forearm alone. I use them for the first 20 minutes of a swim to reinforce the relaxed hand feeling. Massage also helps. After a massage, lots of ice, or soaking the whole forearm in cold salt water. If the fist gloves were still made of a good quality material, then that would work. Ever since they were sold off to another company, they are nothing more than a cheap, flimsy material that cost you 10 bucks on a weekly basis.