I do several stretches pointed out as no-nos in that article. I have a little routine that I always do, much of which I borrowed from Janet Evans' book. But after reading that I'm thinking I might just quit stretching altogether.
:confused:
Parents
Former Member
I’ve enjoyed reading the comments in this thread!
As Michael Quinn pointed out well (thread #8)…..swimmer’s have been completing the same five shoulder stretches since the “dawn of swimming”. There is no published rationale for the group of stretches marked with an “X”. Swimming has been incorrectly categorized into a sport that requires exceptional range of motion / flexibility. Current research along with the help of under water videography reveals that there is no one point in the four competitive strokes that requires extraordinary range of motion to have a fast, efficient stroke.
This article establishes a guideline for all swimmers. The advice is based on the latest evidence. Please see this link below for the full text version with references to support the recommendations or via the link on Schmatz's thread #17:
Stretching is sport specific and athlete specific.
Follow these three simple guidelines:
1. Eliminate stretches that target the static stabilizing components of the shoulder
2. At the appropriate time employ stretches that target muscle tissue
3. Incorporate a dynamic (active) shoulder warm-up prior to workout, competition and between races (if your meet does not have a warm-down pool).
If you or your coach believe you have a range of motion deficit that negatively impacts your ability to complete a fast and efficient stroke, make contact with a sports medicine professional that truly understands the sport of swimming so that they can evaluate your shoulder and develop a routine specific to your needs.
Per Hedgehog’s comments on thread #31, please re-read the article. You’ll see suggestions for a dynamic (active) shoulder warm-up on page 24 and 25. Details are on the full text version linked above.
I have received positive feedback from swim clubs across the country that have made the cognitive shift and embraced this new approach and have appreciated dramatically decreasing episodes of shoulder pain! They can focus on swimming fast!
George T. Edelman
I’ve enjoyed reading the comments in this thread!
As Michael Quinn pointed out well (thread #8)…..swimmer’s have been completing the same five shoulder stretches since the “dawn of swimming”. There is no published rationale for the group of stretches marked with an “X”. Swimming has been incorrectly categorized into a sport that requires exceptional range of motion / flexibility. Current research along with the help of under water videography reveals that there is no one point in the four competitive strokes that requires extraordinary range of motion to have a fast, efficient stroke.
This article establishes a guideline for all swimmers. The advice is based on the latest evidence. Please see this link below for the full text version with references to support the recommendations or via the link on Schmatz's thread #17:
Stretching is sport specific and athlete specific.
Follow these three simple guidelines:
1. Eliminate stretches that target the static stabilizing components of the shoulder
2. At the appropriate time employ stretches that target muscle tissue
3. Incorporate a dynamic (active) shoulder warm-up prior to workout, competition and between races (if your meet does not have a warm-down pool).
If you or your coach believe you have a range of motion deficit that negatively impacts your ability to complete a fast and efficient stroke, make contact with a sports medicine professional that truly understands the sport of swimming so that they can evaluate your shoulder and develop a routine specific to your needs.
Per Hedgehog’s comments on thread #31, please re-read the article. You’ll see suggestions for a dynamic (active) shoulder warm-up on page 24 and 25. Details are on the full text version linked above.
I have received positive feedback from swim clubs across the country that have made the cognitive shift and embraced this new approach and have appreciated dramatically decreasing episodes of shoulder pain! They can focus on swimming fast!
George T. Edelman
