Research Article
Michalis Sambanis, Ioannis Ath
Abstract
An epidemiological survey was conducted to collect data relating to the prevalence and frequency of musculoskeletal injuries in male and female Greek swimmers. A questionnaire was administered on site thus ensuring that the response rate was 100 percent. Analysis of results revealed that of the 149 respondents there were 76 male (51%) and 73 female subjects (49%). A total of 48 athletes (32.21%) indicated that they had musculoskeletal injuries, and mainly shoulderproblems (62.41%; N=50 males and N=43 females), followed in descending order by knee injuries and low back pain problems. The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries ranked highest among freestyle swimmers (N=26) followed by breaststroke (N=11), butterfly (N=7) and finally backstroke (N=4) swimmers. Musculoskeletal injuries are common in Greek under aged elite swimmers and thus care must be taken for their prevention and early safe return to play.