Today's newsletter had a great article on "active shoulders". As a masters swimmer, I started thinking that the many shoulder problems suffered by swimmers might be avoided by applying the same technique as in overhead lifting.
Many swimmers including the great Ian Thorpe "Thorpedo" have had career ending shoulder injuries and shoulder impingement.
The logic is that extending the shoulder for the catch improves streamline (reduced resistance to water) and a stronger beginning of the freestyle pull.
While there may be some truth to that, I doubt that the small extension makes much difference for the pull, but does result in shoulder impingement. I have seen far too many swimmers holding their shoulder at the end of a tough swimming set and have friends that have had shoulder surgery.
Is the solution as easy as packing the shoulder as is advocated for proper kettlebell technique?
Any other swimmers in StrongFirst who have thoughts on this?
Andrew Roberts
Wakefield QC
Many swimmers including the great Ian Thorpe "Thorpedo" have had career ending shoulder injuries and shoulder impingement.
The logic is that extending the shoulder for the catch improves streamline (reduced resistance to water) and a stronger beginning of the freestyle pull.
While there may be some truth to that, I doubt that the small extension makes much difference for the pull, but does result in shoulder impingement. I have seen far too many swimmers holding their shoulder at the end of a tough swimming set and have friends that have had shoulder surgery.
Is the solution as easy as packing the shoulder as is advocated for proper kettlebell technique?
Any other swimmers in StrongFirst who have thoughts on this?
Andrew Roberts
Wakefield QC