Shoulder mobility is the ability of your shoulder joint to move freely and efficiently through its full range of motion with control and strength. It’s essential for lifting, reaching, throwing, pushing, and pulling both in everyday life and in fitness activities.
Prevents Injuries
Poor shoulder mobility can lead to impingements, strains, and rotator cuff issues.
Enables Daily Movement
Tasks like reaching overhead, dressing, or carrying objects rely on healthy shoulder movement.
Improves Performance
Better mobility enhances strength and form in exercises like overhead presses, pull-ups, and bench presses.
As a swimmer, a coach, and a PT I am all too aware of the importance of shoulder mobility in swimmers. As well as being able to improve technique it is also essential to have great shoulder health and mobility to reduce the risk of injury, especially "swimmers shoulder", which many swimmers encounter through their swimming career.
I hold many mobility sessions for swimmers; checking mobility, going through a range of tests to ensure they have a full range of motion and can hold various positions that are essential in the water correctly. From assessment we can move onto increasing mobility and looking at stroke specific mobilty to maximise their efficiency in the water.
Shoulder health is so important, especially for swimmers and just because you don't have shoulder pain it doesn't mean you shouldn't include routines to keep your shoulders going through their full range of motion with a range of exercises. Band work is especially useful for swimmers of all ages and experience, including stretches and shoulder rotations.
