Magnitude and direction of shoulder torque asymmetries between different angular velocities in competitive swimmers

ABSTRACT

Asymmetries in swimming can be the result of poor technique or coordination between limbs, reducing the ability to produce propulsive force and increasing resistive drag. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the magnitude and determine the consistency of isokinetic peak torque asymmetries between the angular velocities of in the shoulder joint movements of internal and external rotation, flexion, and extension. Twenty-one competitive swimmers performed concentric actions at 60°/s (3 repetitions) and 180°/s (20 repetitions) in the movements of internal and external rotation, flexion, and extension of the shoulders using an isokinetic dynamometer, with the peak torque and asymmetry index being common metrics across the tests. The results showed a greater magnitude of asymmetry in internal rotation (16.86 vs. 9.86; p = 0.007) and flexion (12.06 vs. 7.35; p = 0.008) at 60 vs. 180°/s, respectively. The agreement levels of the direction of asymmetries between angular velocities were fair to substantial (Kappa: 0.40 to 0.69). Evaluating isokinetic torque in different movements and angular velocities resulted in different levels of asymmetry. Muscle force asymmetries can impact propulsion efficiency and movement coordination during swimming. Understanding muscle asymmetries allows the development of targeted and individualised training programmes to correct strength imbalances.

KEYWORDS:

• Isokinetic
• agreement
• symmetry
• swimming
• individual monitoring

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas (FAPEAM), Programa de Infraestrutura para Jovens Pesquisadores Programa Primeiros Projetos, Edital nº 004/2017 [062.00843/2020]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas (FAPEAM), Programa Institucional de Apoio à Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu, Resolução nº 006/2020 [062.00843/2020]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas (FAPEAM), Programa Institucional de Apoio à Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu, 005/2022 [01.02.016301.03127/2022-38]. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - Finance code 001.