fina synchronised swimming manual for judges, coaches & referees

2009 – 2013 FINA SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING MANUALFOR JUDGES, COACHES & REFEREESSECTION VReturn to sport demands the recovery of full pain free movement. If poortechnique has been ignored, then it is only a matter of time before symptomsreturn and the vicious cycle of pain and limited movement returns.2. LUMBAR SPINEResulting from the fast mechanical movements seen in Synchro team andduet events, the lumbar spine of the Synchronised swimmer is particularlyvulnerable to injury. Injury to the lumbar spine is thought to be caused fromthe repetitive and rapid arching. A unique move in Synchronised Swimmingthat adds further stress on the lumbar spine is the ‘rocket-boost’ and the‘knight’ position. Training errors can be blamed for the development of lumbardysfunction and should be taken into consideration when evaluating theathlete for the cause of the injury and when developing the treatment plan.These errors include excessive repetitions, explosive speeds, arching with arotational component, excessive over-arching, inadequate neuromusculartraining, poor core stability & posture, inadequate flexibility and prematureprogression to higher risk skills.There are many injuries that occur to the lumbar spine. These range frommuscle strains to more serious neurological injuries requiring urgent medicalintervention. The athlete who complains of lumbar pain should seek medicalattention. A thorough physical examination and appropriate imaging studiesas indicated are necessary to ensure the accurate diagnosis and subsequenttreatment plan.3. KNEELike the breast-stroker and the water polo player, the Synchronised swimmeris vulnerable to chronic overuse injury of the knee. This can be attributed tothe egg beater kick. Progressively difficult egg beater drills are used asfoundation training for the development of strength and skill.The Synchronised swimmer may present with either medial or anterior jointpain. The medial joint pain can be explained by the medial joint stresscaused by the positioning of the knee during the egg beater kick. Anterior jointpain is attributed to abnormal tracking of the knee cap in the notch of thefemur. The athlete will complain of stiffness after rest and anterior knee painwhile kneeling and using the stairs. It may be aggravated by the eggbeaterkick at later stages.Knee pain in the Synchronised swimmer most often can be managed withnon-surgical interventions. Alteration to the duration and intensity of the eggbeater kick during training is necessary. Cross training on the bicycle forfitness is preferred to jogging during the rehabilitative process which mayaggravate knee injuries.2009 – 2013 FINA Synchronised Swimming Manual for Judges, Coaches & Referees 268