Swimmers Shoulder Injury Prevention: Band Pulls (Video)

Band pull rotator cuff exercise for swimmers shoulder

Photo Courtesy: G. John Mullen/COR

By Dr. G. John Mullen

Rotator cuff strengthening is an important aspect of shoulder injury prevention. I’ve written about activating the posterior rotator cuff muscles, while not overemphasizing strengthening the rotator cuff muscles. Once again, activation and strength of the posterior rotator cuff is important for swimmers, but not the only factor and not even the most important factor for everyone. Nonetheless, having safe and challenging posterior rotator cuff strengthening exercises is key for swimmers shoulder prevention program.

The posterior rotator cuff (the infraspinatus and teres minor) muscles endure high stress in swimming. Each time an athlete performs an early vertical forearm, these muscles are rapidly stretched and broken down. Combine this stress with the estimated volume of 1 million arm strokes through a swimming season and you’ve undoubtedly created a risk of shoulder injury. The band pull strengthens the posterior rotator cuff in a safe position (arms next to one side) and can help restore damaged rotator cuff muscles by overemphasizing the eccentric phase of the movement.

Directions:

Hold a band in your hands and, while keeping your elbows at your sides, move your shoulders down and back, then perform an “I don’t know” motion, pulling the band apart, moving specifically from the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint). Slowly return the band over a count of approximately three. If performing to fatigue or with heavy resistance, perform this exercise after practice in combination with other prevention exercises.