Competitive swimming illness and injury: common conditions limiting participation

Illness and injury can significantly limit a swimmer's participation in training and competition. Catastrophic injuries to the neck and risk of drowning are life threatening. Infectious illness can cause significant time out of the water and an even longer convalescence. When injuries to the shoulder, back, and knee become chronic, these overuse injuries can affect performance despite continued cross-training. By identifying the risks for swimming injury and illness, and implementing prevention strategies, the physician can help keep swimmers in the water.