Szendro G1, Mayer A2, Schmidtka-Varnagy A3, Toros K4, Balint L5
1Health Institute of Fonyod, Fonyod, Hungary, 2Semmelweis University, Physiotherapy Department, Budapest, Hungary, 3Semmelweis University, Department of Orthopedics, Budapest, Hungary, 4Hungarian Swimming Association, Budapest, Hungary, 5Hungarian National Institute for Sport Science, Orthopaedic Surgery, Budapest, Hungary
Background: Swimmer's shoulder is the most frequent musculoskeletal problem amongst swimmers. It is multifactorial and many anatomical structures could be affected at the same time. Several risk factors may be contributing in the background such as the special anatomical characteristics of the gleno-humeral joint, range of motion, strength, activity history, demographics, and overall musculoskeletal anatomy. Studies published up to the present time were done relating adult age groups only. Studies regarding cohort of children were not or poorly published only, despite the fact that the prevention of the swimmer's shoulder should have been started at very early age.
Purpose: Prospective study has been started to establish the incidence of swimmer's shoulder in the early teenage age group as well as to assess the presence of risk factors known to the adulthood. We also examined the importance of the shoulder pain in childhood.
Methods: 146 competitive swimmers (80 male, 66 female, aged 12 ± 1 y) participated in this study, started swimming 5,5 +-1,7 years ago. The physical examination tests were carried out in the swimming region centres. We collected data in the form of questionnaires about shoulder pain, other musculoskeletal complaints and weekly swimming loads. We measured the swimmers regarding the range of movement, rotation muscle strength of the shoulder, range of trunk rotation, presence of scapular dyskinesis, and we examined the implementation of the plank test and the posture. We analysed our data using Statistica for Windows program.
Results: 36% of children have experienced shoulder pain. Most common postural problems include increased dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis as well as forwarded head posture. The weakness of serratus anterior and core stability as well as the remained rotational arch of the shoulder joint were found, along with reduced internal and decreased external rotation range. Scapular dyskinesis was not frequent. The decreased body rotation and the greater workload were more frequently found amongst swimmers with painful shoulder.
Conclusion(s): Shoulder pain is fairly common in young swimmers and may associate with some adulthood risk factors.
Implications: We have established and implemented a preventive physio program that includes stretching, strengthening and dynamic warm-up exercises. In several swimming clubs, this has been carried out with the assistance of a physiotherapist and added to the routine workout program. The results of this preventive program as well as the clinical findings are being recorded and monitored as follow ups are being done regularly.
Keywords: swimmers' shoulder, injury prevention, risk factor
Funding acknowledgements: This project was supported by the Hungarian Swimming Association. We thank George J.Davies for the helpful discussions and comments.
Purpose: Prospective study has been started to establish the incidence of swimmer's shoulder in the early teenage age group as well as to assess the presence of risk factors known to the adulthood. We also examined the importance of the shoulder pain in childhood.
Methods: 146 competitive swimmers (80 male, 66 female, aged 12 ± 1 y) participated in this study, started swimming 5,5 +-1,7 years ago. The physical examination tests were carried out in the swimming region centres. We collected data in the form of questionnaires about shoulder pain, other musculoskeletal complaints and weekly swimming loads. We measured the swimmers regarding the range of movement, rotation muscle strength of the shoulder, range of trunk rotation, presence of scapular dyskinesis, and we examined the implementation of the plank test and the posture. We analysed our data using Statistica for Windows program.
Results: 36% of children have experienced shoulder pain. Most common postural problems include increased dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis as well as forwarded head posture. The weakness of serratus anterior and core stability as well as the remained rotational arch of the shoulder joint were found, along with reduced internal and decreased external rotation range. Scapular dyskinesis was not frequent. The decreased body rotation and the greater workload were more frequently found amongst swimmers with painful shoulder.
Conclusion(s): Shoulder pain is fairly common in young swimmers and may associate with some adulthood risk factors.
Implications: We have established and implemented a preventive physio program that includes stretching, strengthening and dynamic warm-up exercises. In several swimming clubs, this has been carried out with the assistance of a physiotherapist and added to the routine workout program. The results of this preventive program as well as the clinical findings are being recorded and monitored as follow ups are being done regularly.
Keywords: swimmers' shoulder, injury prevention, risk factor
Funding acknowledgements: This project was supported by the Hungarian Swimming Association. We thank George J.Davies for the helpful discussions and comments.
Topic: Sport & sports injuries
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Hungarian Swimming Association
Ethics committee: Hungarian Swimming Association Ethics Committee
Reason not required: This study lawfully complies and approved by the ethical codex of the Hungarian Swimming Association as well as holds parental informed written consent.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
