The Acute Effects of a Swimming Session on the Shoulder Rotators Strength and Balance of Age Group Swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a standardized water training session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance in age group swimmers, in order to understand whether a muscle-strengthening workout immediately after the water training is appropriate. A repeated measures design was implemented with two measurements performed before and after a standardized swim session. 127 participants were assembled in male (n = 72; age: 16.28 ± 1.55 years, height: 174.15 ± 7.89 cm, weight: 63.97 ± 6.51 kg) and female (n = 55; age: 15.29 ± 1.28 years, height: 163.03 ± 7.19 cm, weight: 52.72 ± 5.48 kg) cohorts. The isometric torque of the shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators, as well as the ER/IR ratios, were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Paired sample t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were used (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found on the shoulder rotators strength or balance in males after training. Females exhibited unchanged strength values after practice, but there was a considerable decrease in the shoulder rotators balance of the non-dominant limb (p < 0.01 d = 0.366). This indicates that a single practice seems not to affect the shoulders strength and balance of adolescent swimmers, but this can be a gender specific phenomenon. While muscle-strengthening workout after the water session may be appropriate for males, it can be questionable regarding females. Swimming coaches should regularly assess shoulder strength levels in order to individually identify swimmers who may or may not be able to practice muscle strengthening after the water training.

The Effects Of Differing Density Of Swim-Training Sessions On Shoulder Range Of Motion and Isometric Force Production In National and University Level Swimmers

“…However, only the changes in the dominant side of national swimmers were significant. Contrary to the result of this study, Batalha et al 13 found no changes in shoulder ER:IR ratio after a swim-training session in competitive swimmers. This might be explained as the intensity of the session in the present study was high, whereas in Batalha et al 13 study was medium to low.…”

“…Contrary to the result of this study, Batalha et al 13 found no changes in shoulder ER:IR ratio after a swim-training session in competitive swimmers. This might be explained as the intensity of the session in the present study was high, whereas in Batalha et al 13 study was medium to low. Several authors have also investigated the changes in this ratio over a longer period, [34][35][36] reporting reductions between 4% to 14% during a training period in young competitive swimmers.…”

“…The rationale for this was because studies have found changes in shoulder physical qualities after a highintensity swim-training but not after a moderate to low training session. 12,13 Based on the coach's perception, the Wednesday evening session was chosen. Both groups data were collected on the same day of the week, time, and period of the year.…”

“…8,9 Some authors have investigated how swimmers respond to training loads. [10][11][12][13] These researchers found that a swim-training session negatively affects shoulder physical qualities such as rotation strength, 12 rotation ROM, [10][11][12] pectoralis minor length, 10 and joint position sense. 10,11 Since some of these physical qualities have been considered potential risk factors for shoulder pain in swimmers, 2,14 their acute impairments can increase the risk of shoulder injury.…”

Disability Associated with Shoulder Pain during Life Span of Competitive Swimmers; A Cross-sectional study

“…6 The reduction in the shoulder motion, internal and external rotation, might be due to rotator cuff degeneration or overuse and thus resulted in pain and reduced level of satisfaction of shoulder functioning in swimmers. 6,25 A study showed results between disability and pain which coincides with a study by Tate and his team.…”