Summer is the most fantastic time to go swimming for everyone, whether you’re a competitive swimmer, a beginner, or just someone who enjoys hanging out by the waters.
It is vital to remember that swimming is an activity with many possible injuries, even for an experienced swimmer. Many injuries can happen, from muscle pulling to the possibility of drowning; there is always a risk. The great news is that many of these injuries can be prevented with suitable precautions. If you are taking your kid out to swim due to the multiple benefits of kids having swimming lessons from a young age, it is important to remember that safety is vital. To make sure that you and your kids are safe, here are a couple of suggestions to evade typical swimming injuries:
1. Shoulders
The shoulders are a fragile area for swimmers since the movement of swimming mainly comes from this region. The first typical injury is a rotator cuff impingement due to the strain on the rotator cuff when the arm is raised. The recommended prevention method is regularly exercising the shoulder before entering the pool. You build resistance and flexibility by exercising it regularly. You can also prevent these by practicing your stroke. Practicing proper stroke techniques, as taught in a swimming instructor course, also helps reduce strain and prevent injury.
2. Knees
You can tell if you are getting a knee injury when you feel discomfort. These injuries are unbearable and typical in athletes who frequently make the breaststroke move. To prevent this, toughen your knees by exercising before entering the water and stretch your hamstrings and quadriceps properly before you start swimming.
3. Back
Even though swimming is a beautiful method to aid in relieving back pain, swimmers also get extreme back pain if this is not executed correctly. The bending movements can aggravate the spinal joints and cause both upper and lower back pain. To prevent this, check your swimming state and continually practice the proper procedure.
4. Neck
The neck is another common swimming injury and can be caused by keeping your head above water when doing the breaststroke or by rotating your neck when doing freestyle. In private swimming lessons, instructors can provide guidance on proper alignment to prevent neck strain. To keep your neck safe, align it with the rest of your body when swimming and rotate everything while taking breaths, not just your neck.
5. Ear
Ear injuries are still a common and painful consequence, although unrelated to orthopaedics, caused by too many laps around the pool or ocean, particularly with children. Muffled hearing, clogged ears, and itching sensations are common symptoms. If left unattended, it can also cause swelling and fever. To prevent this, you should always clean your ears after a swim. But if it gets worse, you should go to the doctor to get your ears thoroughly cleaned and get medicated ear drops.
Conclusion
Most swimming injuries primarily affect the shoulders and knees, but can also impact the hips, back, and ears depending on the movement. Regular and proper exercise can enhance muscular and cardiovascular endurance, reducing injury risks.
At Swimwerks, our swimming lessons in Singapore, kids swimming lessons, private swimming lessons, and female swimming lessons focus on building a strong foundation, water confidence, and proper swim techniques.
We believe that understanding water safety and swimming confidently in any environment is the best prevention against injuries and drowning.
