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Related Concept Videos

Muscles of the Shoulder01:23

Muscles of the Shoulder

The muscles surrounding the shoulder girdle, including the clavicle and scapula, primarily stabilize the scapula. This stable base allows other muscles to move the humerus effectively. Scapular movements often mirror those of the humerus and extend its range of motion. For instance, raising the arm above the head would not be feasible without simultaneous upward rotation of the scapula.
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck01:26

Muscles of the Anterior Neck

The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
Exercise and Muscle Performance01:27

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Muscles that Move the Head01:19

Muscles that Move the Head

The muscles that move the head are a dynamic and complex group of structures that work together to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Muscles that Move the Arm01:31

Muscles that Move the Arm

Nine muscles are involved in arm movements. Two of these, the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, originate from the axial skeleton and are called axial muscles. The other seven originate from the scapula and are called the scapular muscles.
The pectoralis major has two origins. Its clavicular head originates on the medial half of the clavicle. In contrast, the sternocostal head originates on the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6, the sternum, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique of the...
Muscles of the Thorax01:25

Muscles of the Thorax

The thorax muscles are central to the body's respiration and provide essential support and movement for the upper body. They are intricately designed to facilitate the complex breathing process while also contributing to the structural integrity and mobility of the chest and upper limbs.
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It originates...

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A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
09:24

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Published on: January 28, 2020

Stronger shoulders for swimmers.

James N Johnson1, Jason Gauvin, Michael Fredericson

  • 1Stanford Sports Medicine, Arrillaga Family Sports Center, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. jimdocswim@aol.com.

The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Competitive swimmers experience frequent shoulder pain due to high weekly rotations. Four simple exercises can help prevent this discomfort and improve shoulder health for athletes.

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Orthopedics
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Competitive swimmers perform millions of shoulder rotations weekly, leading to a high incidence of shoulder pain.
  • Shoulder strength and stability are critical for optimal swimming performance and injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and present simple, effective exercises for preventing shoulder pain in competitive swimmers.
  • To provide actionable strategies for athletes to mitigate overuse injuries in the shoulder joint.

Main Methods:

  • Review of biomechanical demands on the swimmer's shoulder.
  • Selection of four targeted exercises focusing on shoulder strength, stability, and rotator cuff health.
  • Guidelines for incorporating exercises into regular training regimens.

Main Results:

  • The proposed exercises address common weaknesses and imbalances contributing to swimmer's shoulder.
  • Consistent performance of these exercises can lead to a significant reduction in shoulder discomfort.
  • These exercises require minimal equipment and can be integrated seamlessly into training schedules.

Conclusions:

  • A proactive approach incorporating specific exercises can effectively prevent shoulder pain in competitive swimmers.
  • Athletes can enhance shoulder resilience and performance by addressing the biomechanical stresses of swimming.
  • Consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended before starting any new exercise program, especially if currently injured.