CONTEXT: Swimming requires well-balanced scapular-muscle performance. An additional strength-training program for the shoulders is pursued by swimmers, but whether these muscle-training programs need to be generic or specific for endurance or strength is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate isokinetic scapular-muscle performance in a population of adolescent swimmers and to compare the results of training programs designed for strength or muscle endurance. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: University human research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen adolescent swimmers. INTERVENTION(S): Each participant pursued a 12-week scapular-training program designed to improve either muscle strength or muscle endurance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Bilateral peak force, fatigue index, and protraction/retraction strength ratios before and after the scapular-training program. RESULTS: Scapular protraction/retraction ratios were slightly higher than 1 (dominant side = 1.08, nondominant side = 1.25, P = .006). Side-to-side differences in retraction strength were apparent both before and after the training program (P = .03 and P = .05, respectively). After the training program, maximal protraction (P < .05) and retraction (P < .01) strength improved on the nondominant side. Peak force and fatigue index were not different between the training groups. The fatigue indexes for protraction on both sides (P < .05) and retraction on the nondominant side (P = .009) were higher after the training program. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the scapular-muscle characteristics of a group of adolescent swimmers. Both muscle-strength and muscle-endurance programs improved absolute muscle strength. Neither of the strength programs had a positive effect on scapular-muscle endurance. Our results may be valuable for coaches and physiotherapists when they are designing exercise programs for swimmers.
CONTEXT: Swimming requires well-balanced scapular-muscle performance. An additional strength-training program for the shoulders is pursued by swimmers, but whether these muscle-training programs need to be generic or specific for endurance or strength is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate isokinetic scapular-muscle performance in a population of adolescent swimmers and to compare the results of training programs designed for strength or muscle endurance. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: University human research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen adolescent swimmers. INTERVENTION(S): Each participant pursued a 12-week scapular-training program designed to improve either muscle strength or muscle endurance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Bilateral peak force, fatigue index, and protraction/retraction strength ratios before and after the scapular-training program. RESULTS: Scapular protraction/retraction ratios were slightly higher than 1 (dominant side = 1.08, nondominant side = 1.25, P = .006). Side-to-side differences in retraction strength were apparent both before and after the training program (P = .03 and P = .05, respectively). After the training program, maximal protraction (P < .05) and retraction (P < .01) strength improved on the nondominant side. Peak force and fatigue index were not different between the training groups. The fatigue indexes for protraction on both sides (P < .05) and retraction on the nondominant side (P = .009) were higher after the training program. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the scapular-muscle characteristics of a group of adolescent swimmers. Both muscle-strength and muscle-endurance programs improved absolute muscle strength. Neither of the strength programs had a positive effect on scapular-muscle endurance. Our results may be valuable for coaches and physiotherapists when they are designing exercise programs for swimmers.
Authors: Ann M Cools; Vincent Dewitte; Frederick Lanszweert; Dries Notebaert; Arne Roets; Barbara Soetens; Barbara Cagnie; Erik E Witvrouw Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2007-07-02 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Gerson E R Campos; Thomas J Luecke; Heather K Wendeln; Kumika Toma; Fredrick C Hagerman; Thomas F Murray; Kerry E Ragg; Nicholas A Ratamess; William J Kraemer; Robert S Staron Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2002-08-15 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Ann M Cools; Ellen Geerooms; Dorien F M Van den Berghe; Dirk C Cambier; Erik E Witvrouw Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2007 Oct-Dec Impact factor: 2.860
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