Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025
Biomechanical Testing of Murine Tendons
Published on: October 15, 2019
The effect of swimming volume and intensity on changes in supraspinatus tendon thickness
Kirsten N Porter1, Scott Talpey2, Deborah Pascoe2
1School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia; School of Allied Health, Australian Catholic University, Ballarat, Australia.
Objectives:
To compare the change in supraspinatus tendon thickness (STT) following a high volume (HV) and high intensity (HI) swimming practice in shoulders of elite swimmers.
Design:
Cohort Study.
Setting:
Non-clinical, state swim team training facility.
Participants:
A convenience sample of eight non-injured state and national level swimmers from a regional swim team were recruited for this study.
Main Outcome Measures:
Ultrasound measures of STT were collected in response to the two swimming practice sessions. Measures were taken prior to each swim practice; immediately after practice; 6-hours post practice and 24-hours post practice.
Results:
A significant increase in STT resulted from both the HI and HV (p < 0.05) practice immediately post practice. For the HI practice, the STT remained significantly thicker than pre-practice measures at the 6-hour post practice test (p < 0.05) however no longer significant 24-hours post practice. The difference in the change in STT between the HI and HV practice was significantly different immediately post practice and 6-hours post practice (p < 0.05) however no longer significant 24-hour post practice.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound measures of STT following different swimming volumes and intensities may provide information on shoulder tendon loads.
