I did a quick search and saw a lot of threads on shoulders with a lot of responses, so if this has been discussed before,
smack (I mean FORGIVE) me,
or something.
But is it possible, and optimal, to swim all four strokes without internally rotating the shoulder joint?
As in sliding the hands in flat, always, rather than "pinkie out/pinkie in" for backstroke, or slightly angled hands (thumb first) for entry in fly (and I think even ever-so-slightly angled hands means slightly internally rotated shoulder joint, means ouch ouch ouch for me). Etc. (for free and ***, too, flat-handed entry, never internally rotating?)
No I don't think it is possible to swim without any level of internal rotation.
I don't either, although I actually think backstroke requires the most. You can reduce internal rotation of your humerus through technique changes, especially in the recovery portion of the stroke, but if you eliminate it entirely in the pulling phase you won't be able to use your lats very well if at all.
PT exercises for "swimmer's shoulder" do not eliminate internal rotation; they (1) strengthen the external rotators so that one can control internal rotation, and (2) strengthen the muscles that are supposed to keep the head of the humerus from sliding forward upon internal rotation.
No I don't think it is possible to swim without any level of internal rotation.
I don't either, although I actually think backstroke requires the most. You can reduce internal rotation of your humerus through technique changes, especially in the recovery portion of the stroke, but if you eliminate it entirely in the pulling phase you won't be able to use your lats very well if at all.
PT exercises for "swimmer's shoulder" do not eliminate internal rotation; they (1) strengthen the external rotators so that one can control internal rotation, and (2) strengthen the muscles that are supposed to keep the head of the humerus from sliding forward upon internal rotation.
