Competitive swimming and shoulder adaptations: The role of stroke specialty in adolescent swimmers.

OBJECTIVES

To examine sport-specific adaptations and the influence of stroke specialization on the shoulder complex among adolescent competitive swimmers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Athletic facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

76 adolescents (14.3 ± 1.3 years), including 28 non-swimmers (Control Group, CG) and 48 competitive swimmers (Swimmers Group, SWG).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Strength of glenohumeral (GH) and scapular muscles (SM), GH joint mobility (GH ROMs), proprioception, pectoralis minor length (PML), and posterior shoulder tightness (PST) were evaluated. The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Score was used to evaluate shoulder function in the SWG. A tested shoulder physical performance parameters were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Comparisons showed that all GH, SM strength measures and PML were higher in the SWG (p < 0.05). GH ER/IR ratio was lower in SWG (MD = 0.8-0.11 N, p < 0.05). GH ROM comparisons revealed decreased IR and increased ER and total rotational ROM in the SWG (p < 0.05). No differences in proprioception or PST were found (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant differences were observed when all parameters were compared among SWG subgroups based on stroke specialization (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent competitive swimmers exhibited sport-specific, but not stroke-specific, adaptations in the shoulder complex.