ORIGINAL
PAPERSPosttraumatic
injuries in swimmers
Mădălina-Victoria
Ovricenco
Sport
Club ,,Dinamo” Bucharest, Department of Sport Medicine
Abstract
Due to thousands of
repetitive daily
movements and to specific
biomechanics of different types of swimming styles, top swimmers are
at increased risk to develop overuse injuries. Adding overhead
throwing movements of the ball in a game of great engagement as
water-polo, the injury risk increasis.
The
aim of this study was to examine the incidence of posttraumatic
injuries in top swimmers (swimming and water-polo) registered at
Dinamo Sports Club between 2003-2005.
Methods:
We have examined 76 posttraumatic injuries (63 males and 13 women
aged between 11 and 29 years) in swimmers and water-polo players of
Dinamo Sports Club, representing 8,8% of all the medical exams.
The
athletes were assessed clinically and imagistically (radiographs,
ultrasound, MRI).
Results:
Most of the injuries were registered in water-polo players –
53
(69,7%) cases. The most common was shoulder involvement -38 (50%)
cases with special accent on impingement syndrome -26 (34,2%) cases.
Soft tissue problems around the knee (tendinitis and entesitis) and
hand interphalangian joint's problems (sprains and disjunctions) were
other important pathologies. The cases of low back pain of discal
origin (2 cases) and of vertebral origin (1 case) represented a
therapeutical chalange.
Conclusions:
1. Between swimmers, water-polo players are at high risk of
posttraumatic injuries both because of the maximal amplitude
repetitive movements in stroke cycle and of the throwing movement. 2.
The most common was shoulder involvement, especially subacromial
impingement syndrome, in the first half of the competitive season. 3.
The water-polo players in centerforward position are susceptible to
injuries with important consequences, especially if they have not the
necessary strength training. 4. The necessity of good surveillance
and of individualisation of training programs in junior swimmers
invited to train together with seniors.
Key
words:
swimmers, posttraumatic injuries
