Shoulder Injury Prevention Program in Swimmers

The Effect of a 6-week Shoulder Strengthening Program on Scapular Kinematics and Shoulder Strength in Division I Collegiate Swimmers

The primary purpose of this study is to assess changes in shoulder muscle strength, shoulder movement, shoulder flexibility, muscle thickness, upper arm torsion angle, and subacromial width (space where the rotator cuff muscle passes through) after completing a 6-week shoulder strengthening and stretching program in division I collegiate swimmers. The result of this study may demonstrate the effectiveness of a strengthening and stretching program to positively influence factors that have been associated with pain and injury in division I collegiate swimmers and indicate the need to implement this program for the entire team. Following a 6-week strengthening and stretching program, it is believed that scapular kinematics, shoulder flexibility, and shoulder and scapular stabilizer strength will be improved compared to control subjects.

The shoulder strengthening program is a 6-week intervention aimed to improve shoulder and scapular stabilizer strength and scapular kinematics. The program includes 10 exercises: shoulder flexion, Ys,Ts,Ws, Throwing Acceleration, Throwing Deceleration, Low Rows, Dynamic Hug, IR @ 90, and ER @ 90. The program also includes 2 stretches: sleeper stretch and corner stretch.

The intervention program is a 6 week shoulder and scapular stabilizer strengthening program that is performed 3 times per week. The program includes 10 exercises that are performed with Theraband rubber tubing and 2 stretches. The exercises are: shoulder flexion, Ys, Ts, Ws, IR @ 90, ER @ 90, Throwing acceleration, Throwing deceleration, dynamic hug, and low rows. The stretches include the sleeper stretch and the corner stretch.

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects will be included in the study if they meet the following criteria: NCAA division I swimmers Participate in swimming for at least 30 minutes per day for 4 days per week. Participate in all team weight lifting sessions. Complete 15 of the 18 training sessions if the subject is placed in the treatment group. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects will be excluded from the study if: They are currently being treated for shoulder pain They develop shoulder pain during the course of the intervention program