Yuta Suzuki1,2, Noriaki Maeda1, Junpei Sasadai3, Kazuki Kaneda1,4, Taizan Shirakawa5, Yukio Urabe1. 1. Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan. 2. Department of Rehabilitation, Matterhorn Rehabilitation Hospital, Hiroshima 737-0046, Japan. 3. Sports Medical Center, Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Tokyo 115-0056, Japan. 4. Department of Rehabilitation, Koyo Orthopedic Clinic, Hiroshima 739-1733, Japan. 5. Department of Orthopedics, Matterhorn Rehabilitation Hospital, Hiroshima 737-0046, Japan.
Abstract
Background and objectives: The long head of the biceps (LHB) and rotator cuff tendinopathy is the major cause of shoulder pain in competitive swimmers. The risk of tendinopathy increases with aging; however, the structural changes of LHB and rotator cuff in populations of masters swimmers have not been well examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ultrasonographic abnormalities of the shoulders in masters swimmers, and the association of pain, age, and swim training with structural changes in this population. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 subjects participated in this study, with 20 masters swimmers with shoulder pain, 20 asymptomatic masters swimmers, and 20 sex- and age-matched controls. All swimmers completed a self-reported questionnaire for shoulder pain, their history of competition, and training volume. Each subject underwent ultrasonographic examination of both shoulders for pathologic findings in the LHB tendon, rotator cuff (supraspinatus (SSP) and subscapularis (SSC)) tendons, and subacromial bursa (SAB) of both shoulders and had thickness measured. Results: The prevalence of tendinosis (LHB, 48.8%; SSP, 17.5%; SSC, 15.9%), partial tear (SSP, 35.0%), and calcification (SSC, 10.0%) were higher in swimmers than in controls. LHB and SSP tendinosis were associated with shoulder pain. Older age and later start of competition were associated with an increased risk of LHB tendinosis and SSC calcification. Earlier initiation of swimming and longer history of competition were associated with an increased risk of SSP and SSC tendinosis. The thicker SSP tendon significantly increased the risk of tendinosis and partial tear. Conclusions: A high prevalence of structural changes in the rotator cuff and biceps tendons in masters swimmers reflects the effect of shoulder symptoms, aging, and swim training.
Background and objectives: The long head of the biceps (LHB) and rotator cuff tendinopathy is the major cause of shoulder pain in competitive swimmers. The risk of tendinopathy increases with aging; however, the structural changes of LHB and rotator cuff in populations of masters swimmers have not been well examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ultrasonographic abnormalities of the shoulders in masters swimmers, and the association of pain, age, and swim training with structural changes in this population. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 subjects participated in this study, with 20 masters swimmers with shoulder pain, 20 asymptomatic masters swimmers, and 20 sex- and age-matched controls. All swimmers completed a self-reported questionnaire for shoulder pain, their history of competition, and training volume. Each subject underwent ultrasonographic examination of both shoulders for pathologic findings in the LHB tendon, rotator cuff (supraspinatus (SSP) and subscapularis (SSC)) tendons, and subacromial bursa (SAB) of both shoulders and had thickness measured. Results: The prevalence of tendinosis (LHB, 48.8%; SSP, 17.5%; SSC, 15.9%), partial tear (SSP, 35.0%), and calcification (SSC, 10.0%) were higher in swimmers than in controls. LHB and SSP tendinosis were associated with shoulder pain. Older age and later start of competition were associated with an increased risk of LHBtendinosis and SSC calcification. Earlier initiation of swimming and longer history of competition were associated with an increased risk of SSP and SSC tendinosis. The thicker SSP tendon significantly increased the risk of tendinosis and partial tear. Conclusions: A high prevalence of structural changes in the rotator cuff and biceps tendons in masters swimmers reflects the effect of shoulder symptoms, aging, and swim training.
Authors: Lori A Michener; Sevgi S Subasi Yesilyaprak; Amee L Seitz; Mark K Timmons; Matthew K Walsworth Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2013-06-05 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Gandikota Girish; Lucas G Lobo; Jon A Jacobson; Yoav Morag; Bruce Miller; David A Jamadar Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2011-10 Impact factor: 3.959
Authors: Scott A Rodeo; Joseph T Nguyen; John T Cavanaugh; Yashika Patel; Ronald S Adler Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2016-08-09 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Mya Lay Sein; Judie Walton; James Linklater; Richard Appleyard; Brent Kirkbride; Donald Kuah; George A C Murrell Journal: Br J Sports Med Date: 2008-05-07 Impact factor: 13.800