Physical Profiling for Performance - Swimming

'PP4P - Swimming’ has been designed to enable swimming clubs to build-up an ongoing, consistent record of injury prevention screening for each swimmer, with the aim of reducing the risk of common swimming injuries.

The resource contains a database of athlete and screening information. This information is entered using a unique system of tick box answers to simple progressive observations and tests. These can be carried out by a physiotherapist, sports therapist or trainer to examine basic movements, through to stability function under load. The movements selected are regarded as significant to swimming.

To assist the practitioner all the screening tests have video and text support to ensure movements are performed correctly and future injuries are avoided.

The system consists of three screenings:

Functional Screening:

Static observations of posture allow the practitioner to ascertain a general awareness of how the athlete may move. This section then progresses on to basic movements, such as the ability to stabilise the scapula in prone and streamline and the pelvis during movement.

Supplementary Physiological Screening:

More familiar Range of Movement (ROM) tests, for example Straight Leg Raise (SLR) and Latissimus Dorsi length tests are included in this section. However a muscle may be tight as the result of overuse but we may not be able to establish whether it is the cause or the effect of a movement problem. Although the reaction to something tight is to stretch it, there is much research to suggest that static stretching is ineffective in injury prevention.

Fundamental Stability Screening:

Once the pelvis and proximal key points can be stabilised and dissociated from associated movements, fundamental stability screening looks at the ability to control these joints through movement and under load. The “superman” is broken down to arm only and leg only movements and progressed to opposite arm and leg, whilst proprioception of the movement is considered throughout.

Once a screening is complete the information can be saved and the results made available instantly in a printable format or stored and e-mailed in an electronic format. The resource offers the option to compare previous screening tests in order to analyse improvements or identify any deterioration in outcomes.

As well as printing screening results there is the option to print details of any recommended prehab exercises. One major advantage of this system over any paper driven proforma is that the swimmer can walk out of the room with the results and a recommended programme in their hand.

Additional support for teaching these prehab exercises can be found in the prehab section. It is recommended that all swimmers practice the prehab exercises once a week, as part of an injury prevention programme and that individual exercises, recommended to athletes from the screening, be practised on a daily basis.

The system benefits swimmers from approximately ten years old to the oldest swimmer in town! The movements involved in the tests and prehab exercises should be happening subconsciously as part of the complex skills involved in swimming. They also form the basis of any additional strength work that may be incorporated into the training programme, including Swiss ball, medicine ball and resistance tubing exercises.

Visit the website at http://www.pp4p.co.uk/