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Swimming and the older athlete.
1John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Clinics in Sports Medicine
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Swimming injuries in masters athletes mirror those in younger swimmers but include age-related degenerative changes. Preparticipation assessments are crucial for safety and enjoyment in this growing sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Swimming is a rapidly growing sport with participants across all age groups, including masters swimmers.
- Injuries in elite collegiate swimmers are well-documented.
- Masters swimmers face unique challenges due to tissue aging and degenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight injury considerations specific to masters-level swimmers.
- To emphasize the importance of preparticipation evaluations for older athletes.
- To promote safety and enjoyment in the masters swimming community.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on swimming injuries.
- Analysis of injury patterns in collegiate versus masters swimmers.
- Discussion of age-related physiological changes impacting swimmers.
Main Results:
- Masters swimmers experience injuries similar to younger athletes, compounded by degenerative changes.
- Tissue aging significantly influences injury presentation and recovery in older swimmers.
- Preparticipation history and physical examinations are critical for identifying at-risk individuals.
Conclusions:
- Masters swimming is a significant and growing sport requiring tailored injury prevention strategies.
- Understanding the impact of aging on tissues is essential for managing masters swimmer injuries.
- Comprehensive preparticipation assessments can enhance safety and longevity in masters swimming.