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.