Injury Patterns and Frequency in Swimming: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Swimming is a widely practiced sport with significant physical demands, placing athletes at a considerable risk of injury, particularly in the shoulder, due to repetitive high-intensity movements. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the patterns and frequency of injuries associated with swimming. Methods: A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus databases identified nine relevant studies. Results: The findings revealed a higher incidence of injuries in female swimmers compared to males, with the shoulder being the most frequently affected joint. This disparity is partially attributed to the Female Athlete Triad, a syndrome characterized by low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and poor bone health, which increases injury susceptibility. Other commonly affected regions include the knee, often associated with the biomechanical demands of breaststroke, and the lumbar spine, which is impacted by degenerative changes resulting from high training volumes. However, variability in the injury measurement protocols across studies limits their comparability and highlights the need for standardized methods. Conclusions: Based on these findings, professionals in the field can identify injury patterns to enhance diagnosis and treatment, design personalized prevention programs, implement early interventions, and innovate equipment and training methods to improve swimmer safety and performance.

Keywords

• injury prevention
• rehabilitation
• epidemiological study
• risk factors