The continuous execution of swimming techniques, supported mainly by the upper limbs, may cause shoulder rotator muscle imbalances, which leads to injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of two training programs on strength, balance and endurance of shoulder rotator cuff muscles in youth swimmers. Twenty-five male swimmers were evaluated and randomly divided into two groups - the land group (n = 13), which conducted a conventional dry-land training program with elastic bands, and the water group (n = 12), which conducted a water resistance program. In both groups, the level of strength of the shoulder rotators was evaluated with an isokinetic dynamometer on two occasions (baseline and after 10 weeks) using two protocols: i) three repetitions at 60o/s; ii) twenty repetitions at 180o/s. The land group significantly increased the unilateral ratios compared to the water group. The land group also decreased the external rotator levels of muscular fatigue. The dry-land training program conducted proved to be more effective than the one conducted in the water, allowing to reduce the muscle imbalance and to decrease muscle fatigue.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a standardized water training session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance in age group swimmers, in order to understand whether a muscle-strengthening workout immediately after the water training is appropriate. A repeated measures design was implemented with two measurements performed before and after a standardized swim session. 127 participants were assembled in male (n = 72; age: 16.28 ± 1.55 years, height: 174.15 ± 7.89 cm, weight: 63.97 ± 6.51 kg) and female (n = 55; age: 15.29 ± 1.28 years, height: 163.03 ± 7.19 cm, weight: 52.72 ± 5.48 kg) cohorts. The isometric torque of the shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators, as well as the ER/IR ratios, were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Paired sample t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were used (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found on the shoulder rotators strength or balance in males after training. Females exhibited unchanged strength values after practice, but there was a considerable decrease in the shoulder rotators balance of the non-dominant limb (p < 0.01 d = 0.366). This indicates that a single practice seems not to affect the shoulders strength and balance of adolescent swimmers, but this can be a gender specific phenomenon. While muscle-strengthening workout after the water session may be appropriate for males, it can be questionable regarding females. Swimming coaches should regularly assess shoulder strength levels in order to individually identify swimmers who may or may not be able to practice muscle strengthening after the water training.

Competitive swimmers usually undergo large mileage of daily training, in which propulsive force is produced mainly by the upper limbs. Some studies claim that dry‐land shoulder rotators injury prevention programs before the in‐water swim practice are paramount. However, the effect of shoulder strengthening prior to water training is unclear. This study aimed to analyse the acute effects of training programs conducted on dry land with the goal of preventing shoulder rotators injuries. A group of young swimmers (N = 23) was recruited to participate in this research. The peak torques of shoulder internal and external rotators were assessed before and after the completion of the compensatory strength training program. The isokinetic assessment was performed using two different protocols: 3 repetitions at 60º/s and 20 repetitions at 180º/s. Except for a trivial reduction in strength after the training program, there were no other significant differences in any of the studied variables (shoulders rotators endurance, strength and muscle balance). All results showed trivial to small effect sizes. Our findings suggest that a compensatory strength training program does not have a significant acute effect on the strength, endurance and muscle balance of shoulder rotators in young swimmers.

Competitive swimmers usually undergo large mileage of daily training, in which propulsive force is produced mainly by the upper limbs. Some studies claim that dry-land shoulder rotators injury prevention programs before the in-water swim practice are paramount. However, the effect of shoulder strengthening prior to water training is unclear. This study aimed to analyse the acute effects of training programs conducted on dry land with the goal of preventing shoulder rotators injuries. A group of young swimmers (N = 23) was recruited to participate in this research. The peak torques of shoulder internal and external rotators were assessed before and after the completion of the compensatory strength training program. The isokinetic assessment was performed using two different protocols: 3 repetitions at 60º/s and 20 repetitions at 180º/s. Except for a trivial reduction in strength after the training program, there were no other significant differences in any of the studied variables (shoulders rotators endurance, strength and muscle balance). All results showed trivial to small effect sizes. Our findings suggest that a compensatory strength training program does not have a significant acute effect on the strength, endurance and muscle balance of shoulder rotators in young swimmers.

Imbalance in shoulder rotator muscles is a well-documented problem in swimmers, and it is important to implement land-based strength training programs. Meanwhile, the effects of a detraining period on swimmers’ shoulder rotator muscles are unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of a strength training program and detraining on the strength and balance of shoulder rotator cuff muscles in young swimmers, despite the continuity of usual water training. An experimental group (n=20) and a control group (n=20) of young male swimmers with the same characteristics (age, body mass, height, training volume and maturational state) were evaluated. In both groups, the peak torques of shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators were assessed during pre-season, mid-season (16 weeks), and post-season (32 weeks). The experimental group underwent a strength training regimen from baseline to 16 weeks and a detraining period from 16 to 32 weeks. Concentric action at 60º∙s-1 and 180º∙s-1 were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The ER/IR strength ratios were obtained. At 60º∙s-1 there were significant increments in IR strength and the ER/IR ratio in both shoulders. This trend was the same throughout the competitive season. The tendency was the same at 180º∙s-1 since training effects were noted primarily in IR and ER/IR ratios. Moreover, the absence of land-based strength training, from 16 to 32 weeks, revealed a reduction in the ER/IR ratio values in both shoulders. Our findings suggest that young swimmers’ coaches should use dry-land strength training protocols, and that it is recommended that these should be conducted on a regular basis (during the whole season).

The continuous execution of swimming techniques may cause muscle imbalances in shoulder rotators leading to injury. However, there is a lack of published research studies on this topic. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a competitive swim period on the shoulder rotator–cuff balance in young swimmers. A randomized controlled pretest–posttest design was used, with two measurements performed during the first macrocycle of the swimming season (baseline and 16 weeks). Twenty-seven young male swimmers (experimental group) and 22 male students who were not involved in swim training (control group) with the same characteristics were evaluated. Peak torque of shoulder internal and external rotators was assessed. Concentric action at 1.04 rad s!1 (3 repetitions) and 3.14 rad s!1 (20 repetitions) was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3). External/internal rotators strength ratios were also obtained. For both protocols, there were significant training effects on internal rotator strength and external/internal rotator ratios (p à .05). This trend was the same for both shoulders. Within-group analysis showed significant changes from baseline to 16 weeks for internal rotators strength and unilateral ratios of the experimental group. Swimmers’ internal rotator strength levels increased significantly. In contrast, a significant decrease of the unilateral ratios was observed. Findings suggest that a competitive swim macrocycle leads to an increase in muscular imbalances in the shoulder rotators of young competitive swimmers. Swimming coaches should consider implementing a compensatory strength-training program

Introdução: os principais gestos técnicos do andebol realizados com os membros superiores, a coifa dos rotadores tem uma ação de extrema importância, sendo a frenagem do movimento realizada através de contrações excêntricas dos rotadores externos (RE) (Escamilla and Andrews, 2009). O objectivo do estudo consistiu em avaliar o efeito de dois programas de treino (concêntrico vs excêntrico) na força e equilíbrio muscular dos músculos rotadores dos ombros e na performance ao nível do remate em jovens andebolistas. Metodologia A amostra foi composta por andebolistas com idades entre os 12 e os 17 anos e organizada em três grupos: G. excêntrico (GE; N=9), G. concêntrico (GCC; N=9) e G. de controlo (GC; N=10). Os atletas foram avaliados em dois momentos, antes e após o programa de treino, em três parâmetros: i) força dos rotadores dos ombros recorrendo ao dinamómetro isocinético Biodex System 3 e utilizando dois protocolos – a força máxima em 3 execuções a 60o/s e a força resistente em 20 repetições a 180o/s –; ii) força de preensão palmar através do Hand Grip; iii) velocidade de saída da bola através da análise cinemática do remate. O programa de treino foi aplicado durante 12 semanas, três vezes por semana. Após aquecimento, os atletas realizaram 3 exercícios idênticos, um grupo com contração excêntrica e outro com ação concêntrica (3 séries de 15 repetições). Para além da estatística descritiva, os efeitos de treino foram estudados através de uma análise de variâncias ANOVA com medidas repetidas, relacionando os três grupos com dois momentos. Resultados Na avaliação do Membro Dominante (MD) a 60o/s, o GCC aumentou significativamente os valores de força dos RE (p=0.005), RI (p=0.031) e rácios unilaterais (p=0.015). O GE, apesar de apresentar aumentos de força e de equilíbrio muscular, apenas revelou diferenças significativas intra-grupo nos RE (p=0.025). No Membro não dominante (MND) a tendência de aumento dos valores de força e equilíbrio muscular manteve-se em ambos os grupos, com valores significativos para o GE nos RE (p=0.008) e em ambos os grupos para os rácios unilaterais (p=0.020 e p=0.015 para GE e GCC respetivamente). Nas avaliações da força resistente (180o/s), em ambos os membros e nos dois programas de treino, força dos RE e rácios unilaterais aumentaram significativamente, traduzindo um maior equilíbrio muscular. Neste caso, o treino concêntrico revelou-se mais eficaz no aumento da força dos RE e rácios, com diferenças significativas entre grupos (p=0.002 para RE e p=0.001 para rácios no MD; p=0.001 para RE e p=0.007 para rácios no MND). Na velocidade de saída da bola, existiram diferenças significativas entre grupos nos distintos tipos de remate. O treino concêntrico revelou-se mais eficaz no aumento da velocidade de saída da bola no remate em suspensão (p=0.001), tendo o treino excêntrico melhores resultados na mesma variável do remate em apoio (p=0.002). Conclusão Ambos os programas de treino realizados contribuíram para o aumento dos níveis de força dos RI e RE, resultando num maior equilíbrio muscular. Ao nível da força resistente o treino concêntrico revelou-se mais eficaz no aumento efetivo do equilíbrio muscular. O treino concêntrico foi mais efetivo no aumento da velocidade de saída da bola no remate em suspensão, acontecendo o mesmo com o treino excêntrico para com o remate em apoio.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate de effects of 16 week compensatory strength training program in shoulder strength and respective conventional ratios (concentric ER/IR). METHODS A total of 40 national level male swimmers were assessed and randomly divided in two groups – experimental group (N=20)-(age:14.65±0.67 years old, height:173.48±6.87 cm, body mass:63.15±5.68 kg) and control group (N=20)-(age:14.60±0.60 years old, height: 170.79±6.48 cm, body mass:61.73±4.68 kg). Experimental subjects participated in a 16 week shoulder strength program with Thera-Band® elastic bands (3 times a week). The peak-torque of shoulder internal (IR) and external rotators (ER) was measured in both groups at baseline and after 16 weeks. Concentric action at 60º/s (3 rep) and 180º/s (20 rep) were measured, in a seated position, with the shoulder at 90º of abduction and the elbow flexed to 90º, using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3 – Biodex Corp., Shirley, USA). Anova with repeated measures was used to determine significant main effects in shoulder rotators strength and unilateral ER/IR ratios. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS Significant differences were found in all variables that measure the ER shoulder strength at 60º/s in dominant(DT) (P=0.031) and non-dominant(NDT) shoulder (P=0.001). Meanwhile concentric action at 180º/s, only showed significant differences on DT shoulder (P=0.032). In respect of ER/IR ratio, a compensatory strength training programme induces significant differences in both shoulders at 60º/s (DT: P=0.001; NDT: P=0.001). At 180º/s we just found significant effects on the DT ER/IR ratio (P=0.002). DISCUSSION The results of this study support earlier research [1] that showed that the unilateral shoulder strength ratios increases substantially after a period of a strength training program. Since the ratios describe the quality of muscular balance/imbalance [1], we can conclude that a 16 week compensatory shoulder strength training program using Thera-Band® elastic bands, reduces muscular imbalances in rotator cuff of competitive young swimmers. These results highlight the useful of this kind of compensatory program to prevent shoulder injuries.

During the repeated execution of the swimming strokes, the shoulder adductor and internal rotator muscles have a tendency to become proportionally stronger when compared to their antagonist group. This can lead to muscle imbalances. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a compensatory training programme on the strength and balance of shoulder rotator muscles in young swimmers. A randomized controlled trial design was used. Forty male swimmers took part in the study and were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 20) and a training group (n = 20). A control group (n = 16) of young sedentary male students was also evaluated. The experimental group subjects participated in a 16-week shoulder-strength programme with Thera-Band® elastic bands; the training group was restricted to aquatic training. Peak torque of shoulder internal rotator and external rotator (ER) was measured at baseline and after 16 weeks. Concentric action at 1.04 rad s−1 (3 reps) and 3.14 rad s−1 (20 reps) was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The strength- training programme led to an improvement of the ER strength and shoulder rotator balance in the experimental group (data from both shoulders at 1.04 rad s−1). Moreover, concentric action at 3.14 rad s−1 presented significant differences only for the dominant shoulder. Findings suggest that the prescribed shoulder-strengthening exercises could be a useful training option for young competitive swimmers. They can produce an increase in absolute strength values and greater muscle balance in shoulder rotators.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of a competitive swim season on the strength, balance and endurance of shoulder rotator cuff muscles in young swimmers. A repeated-measures design was used with three measurements performed during the swim season. A swimmers group (n = 20) of young males with no dry-land training and a sedentary group (n=16) of male students with the same characteristics (age, body mass, height and maturational state) were evaluated. In both groups, the peak torque of shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators was assessed during preseason, midseason (16 weeks), and postseason (32 weeks). Concentric action at 60º∙s-1 and 180º∙s-1 was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The ER/IR strength ratios and endurance ratios were also obtained. At 60º∙s-1, there were significant training effects in the IR strength and ER/IR ratio on both shoulders. This trend was the same throughout the competitive season. The same trend was present at 180º∙s-1 since the training effects are seen primarily in IR and ER/IR ratios. With respect to endurance ratios, within-group data were similar in ER and IR for both shoulders, with no significant differences between moments. However, between-group differences occurred mostly in the IR. Results suggest that a competitive swim season favours the increase of muscular imbalances in the shoulder rotators of young competitive swimmers, mainly due to increased levels of IR strength and endurance that are proportionally larger than those of their antagonists. A compensatory strength training program should be considered.