Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Biomechanics”
The shoulder is the primary site of injury in swimmers, but the low back is the second most commonly injured site. In fact, ~8% of those competing at a 2001 International competition experienced low back pain. Kaneoka (2007) noted thirty-eight (68%) elite swimmers and 11 (29%) controls had degenerated discs at various levels. Disc level L5-S1 was more frequently degenerated …
Viscoelasticity is the ability to return of a material to return to a position after an extended force application. Dynamic tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) possess viscoelastic structures. The ideal mechanism and benefits of stretching are uncertain, but previous work suggests constant-torque is more beneficial than constant-angle for improving muscle creep, resulting in a decrease in stiffness. This creep is the …
Thoracic spine rotation is used in long-axis swimming. Therefore, understanding the biomechanical demand of this motion is mandatory to understand the optimal hydrodynamics. Unfortunately, the thoracic spine is rarely researched due to the low volume of injuries at this region. Simply comparing the thoracic spine to other areas is unjust, as the thoracic spine has many differences from the rest …
Take Home Points on Motor Learning for Swimmers: Part I Learn the motor learning terminology for the best swimming practice. Motor learning for swimmers is an expanding form of training. This is most popularized by Dr. Rushall’s work and his Swimming Science Bulletin: SWIMMING ENERGY TRAINING IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE JUSTIFICATION FOR RADICAL CHANGES. If you have not read this document, …
1. Please introduce yourself to the readers (how you started in the profession, education, credentials, experience, etc.). Hi, my name is Stefan Szczepan. I’m a scientist at the University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Poland and I work at the Department of Swimming. This year I received a doctoral degree. I’m interested in motor control and learning included motor …
Background on the Barbell Deadlift Dryland Training has become a quintessential aspect of swimming. Not only does dryland provide the opportunity for athletes to become stronger but it also provides an avenue for the body to create improved physiological adaptations resulting in more functional strength and faster times in the water. The barbell deadlift is an exercise that requires …
Core muscular endurance is a variable associated with low back pain rehabilitation. Core training is believed to improve ground sports performance but has not been confirmed in swimming. Rotational power is deemed an important variable in rotational power athletes. The correlation between rotational power and swimming success has yet to be proven, but many dry-land programs strive for improved rotational …
The intensity of exercise prescribed during a workout is typically defined based on the pulmonary oxygen uptake and blood lactate response to constant work. This is easily researched in running and cycling but is difficult in swimming. Therefore, many coaches prescribe intensity based on experience. A slow component of the VO2 kinetics is superimposed upon the rapid response, resulting in …
Background on Spinal Curvature The excessive spinal curvature is common in the sport of swimming. This frequency is difficult to interpret as many health care professionals have recommended swimming as a sport for rehabilitation, yet many others have linked swimming as a cause of this excess curvature. Spinal curvature in the adolescent spine typically involves curves in the sagittal plane …
Background on Back Pain The low back is the third most common site of injury in swimmers. Despite the pain, many swimmers attempt to swim through the discomfort, leading to a classification of chronic low back pain (pain existing longer than six months). The chronic low back is believed to impair swimming by pain and reflex inhibition where pain leads …