Shoulder Muscle Activation and Pain in Child Swimmers

Abstract

Objective: To compare the electromyographic activation during the simulation of the propulsion phase of the crawl stroke with elastic band of a group of swimmers with pain and a control group, before and after preventive shoulder training (PT) and in the detraining phase, in relation to a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC of 11 muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Methods: A sample of 12 swimmers from the children's category (11-12 years old). They were evaluated with five clinical tests, each one specific to muscle or tendon in relation to the sporting gesture. A pain scale was used. For myoelectric data, surface electrodes were placed over 11 muscle evaluated, was performed a MVC for each muscle and a propulsive swimming movement. The athletes performed muscle strengthening and scapula stabilizing exercises for a period of ten weeks, with a weekly frequency of two and a duration of 45 min each session, after which the evaluation protocol was performed again

Results: Differences were found betweengroups in the clinical tests and in comparison to electromyographic activation in the pre-PT, post-PT and detraining phases.

Conclusion: Preventive exercises had positive effects, on muscle patterns and decreasing shoulder
pain in athletes.