Cumulative effects of a week’s training loads on shoulder physical qualities and wellness in competitive swimmers

Yoma, M; Herrington, LC; Mackenzie, TA

Abstract

Background:
Competitive swimmers are exposed to high training loads, which can contribute to the development of shoulder pain. There is a lack of research investigating the interactions between the accumulation of training loads and factors associated to shoulder pain in swimmers.

Purpose:
The primary objective was to analyze the changes in shoulder physical qualities and wellness factors over a week of training in competitive swimmers. A secondary objective was to compare the changes in these variables between different swim-training volumes performed during the week.

Design:
Cross-sectional.

Methods:
Thirty-one national and regional-level swimmers were included (18 females, 13 males; age= 15.5 ± 2.2 years). Active shoulder external rotation (ER) range of motion (ROM), shoulder-rotation isometric torque, and wellness factors using the Hooper questionnaire were measured twice over the week: a baseline measurement (before Monday´s training session) and a follow-up during the week. Participants were divided into a high-volume group (HVG) and low-volume group (LVG) based on the day follow-up was performed. HVL (n= 15) was tested at the end of the training week (after Saturday´s session) and LVG (n= 16) during the week (after Thursday or Friday´s session). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of the whole week was recorded after the follow-up session.

Results:
At follow-up, the LVG averaged a volume of 26.2 ± 2.2 km, whereas the HVG averaged a volume of 37.5 ± 3.7 km. LVG and HVG participants decreased active shoulder ER ROM on dominant (p= 0.002; p= 0.006) and nondominant sides (p= 0.001; p= 0.004), displayed increased muscular soreness (p= 0.001; p= 0.007) and worsened overall wellness (p< 0.001; p= 0.010). Fatigue (p= 0.008) and poor sleep quality were increased (p= 0.023) in HVG, but not in LVG. There were no changes in shoulder-rotation torque and stress in any group. Regarding between-groups differences, only weekly RPE was higher (p= 0.004) in HVG.

Conclusions:
The accumulation of training loads over the week negatively affect physical and wellness factors. Greater swim-volumes were associated with an increase perception of training loads. The regular monitoring of multiple factors to assess swimmers’ response to training might be necessary.

Citation

Yoma, M., Herrington, L., & Mackenzie, T. (2021). Cumulative effects of a week’s training loads on shoulder physical qualities and wellness in competitive swimmers. International journal of sports physical therapy, 16(6), 1470-1484. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.29875

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 21, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 13, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 13, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1470-1484
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.29875
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.29875
• Related Public URLs: https://ijspt.scholasticahq.com/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: eissn 2159-2896 **History: issued 01-12-2021; published_online 01-12-2021