Synchronized Swimming:

Injury & Illnesses

Dr. Margo MountjoyChair FINA Sports Medicine

National Team PhysicianSynchro Canada

Athletic Attributes of Synchronized Swimming

Training Principles

Strength training

Flexibility

Acrobatics

Training PrinciplesCardiovascular training

Synchro-specific skill training

Dance/Theatre

Injuries in Synchronized Swimming

Traumatic

Overuse

TRAUMA

Case History

•National Team training camp

•Dry land training

•Lift/Stunt practice

•Mats and spotters

•Bilateral calcaneal fractures

•Strains

•Sprains

•Fractures

•Contusions

•Abrasions

•Muscle tears

Traumatic Injuries

Concussion

Concussion

Overuse Injuries

SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT

Etiology of impingement in synchro

• Freestyle

• Overhead arm movements

• Support skull: thrusts

• Propeller

Patellar-Femoral Syndrome

Egg beater

Spondylolysis Spondylolysthesis

Other Back Injuries in Synchro• Acute muscle tears

• Acute disc protrusion

• Sacro-iliac dysfunction

• Facet syndrome

• Whiplash

Spondylolysis

X-ray

CT scan

CASE HISTORY

•National Team Athlete

•During training session

•Sudden onset of pain

•New tingling & numbness

•Loss of bowel control

•Loss of bladder control

•Sudden onset of paralysis

GENERAL PRINCIPLESInjury Prevention

& Injury Management

INJURY PREVENTION

•Balanced training program

•Provision for recovery

•Sport specific training

•Individual planning for specific needs

•Nutritional & psychological support

INJURY MANAGEMENT•Early detection

•Injury-specific intervention based on scientific

proof of efficacy•Training modification

•Controlled reintegration

•Re-evaluation

Medical Issues

inSynchronized

Swimming

Overtraining

• Decreased performance• Poor periodization• Inadequate rest• Mood changes / irritability• Recurrent illnesses/injuries

Decreased energy intake

Amenorrhea Decreased bone density

Female Athlete Triad

Eating Disorders:• Anorexia • Bulemia• Eating Disorder – NOS• Disordered Eating

Hypoxia

Video clip of solo?

Physician’s Role in Synchro

1. Reactive: treat problems as they occur

2. Proactive: prevention, policies

3. Screening: overtraining, triad, ED, Injury ED, injury

4. Research

Pre-Season Evaluations

•Medical examination

•Strength

•Flexibility

•Nutritional analysis

•Balanced program planning

•Psychological review

Medical PerformanceEnhancement Team

Regular Evaluations throughout the training year!!!!

...future

-Synchro

-Sports Medicine

Technical Perfection

Acrobatics

Creativity

Performance Medicine: Cirque / Dance

Triad relatedScientificAdvances

Scientific Research:

•Prevalence

•Prevention

•Training Regimens

Thank you for your attention !