SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Yalova Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 5 Sayı: 1

The Investigation of Sports Performance and Shoulder Joint Mobility in Young Swimmers

Genç Yüzücülerde Spor Performansı ve Omuz Eklemi Hareket Açıklığının İncelenmesi

Kubilay Çimen(ISTANBUL GELISIM UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-1427-120X
Görkem Açar(MANISA CELAL BAYAR UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-0970-8625
Duran Arslan(ISTANBUL GELISIM UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-9660-5009
Sinan Demirci(ISTANBUL GELISIM UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6061-4325
Pages
296–314
Publication Date
2026-03-19
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Regular assessment and training targeting mobility are important for both performance improvement and injury prevention.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Swimming is a sport involving repetitive upper extremity movements, and shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) is a key determinant of swimming performance.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The aim of this study was to investigate differences in shoulder joint ROM and 50 m swimming performance between professional and amateur swimmers and to evaluate the relationship between these parameters.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Regular assessment and training targeting mobility are important for both performance improvement and injury prevention.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Omuz Eklemi Hareket Açıklığı · Yüzme Performansı · Atletik Performans

Abstract

Swimming is a sport involving repetitive upper extremity movements, and shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) is a key determinant of swimming performance. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in shoulder joint ROM and 50 m swimming performance between professional and amateur swimmers and to evaluate the relationship between these parameters. A total of 46 young swimmers, including 23 professional and 23 amateur swimmers aged 12–18, participated in the study. Shoulder joint range of motion (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation) was measured using a goniometer. Performance was assessed based on the best 50 m swimming time. Independent t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for group comparisons, while one-way ANOVA tests and Spearman correlation tests were used for relationship analyses. Professional young swimmers had significantly higher ROM values and better 50 m performance in all shoulder movements (p < .001). The most significant difference was observed in right shoulder internal rotation (t = -18.531, p < .001; Mean Difference = -22.261°). A negative correlation was found between shoulder ROM and 50 m time in all directions (p < .001). Increased shoulder range of motion is a key parameter in swimming performance. Regular assessment and training targeting mobility are important for both performance improvement and injury prevention.

Özet

Yüzme, tekrarlayıcı üst ekstremite hareketlerini içeren bir spordur ve omuz eklemi hareket açıklığı (ROM), yüzme performansının önemli bir belirleyicisidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, profesyonel ve amatör yüzücüler arasında omuz eklemi hareket açıklığı ile 50 metre yüzme performansı arasındaki farkları araştırmak ve bu parametreler arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendirmektir. Çalışmaya yaşları 12–18 arasında değişen toplam 46 genç yüzücü (23 profesyonel, 23 amatör) katılmıştır. Omuz eklemi hareket açıklığı (fleksiyon, ekstansiyon, abdüksiyon, addüksiyon, internal ve eksternal rotasyon) gonyometre ile ölçülmüştür. Performans değerlendirmesi, en iyi 50 metre yüzme derecesine göre yapılmıştır. Grup karşılaştırmaları için bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve Mann–Whitney U testi, ilişkilerin incelenmesinde ise tek yönlü ANOVA ve Spearman korelasyon testleri kullanılmıştır. Profesyonel genç yüzücülerin tüm omuz hareketlerinde anlamlı derecede yüksek ROM değerlerine ve daha iyi 50 metre performansına sahip oldukları belirlenmiştir (p < .001). En belirgin fark sağ omuz internal rotasyonunda gözlenmiştir (t = -18.531, p < .001; Ortalama Fark = -22.261°). Tüm yönlerde omuz ROM değerleri ile 50 metre yüzme süresi arasında negatif korelasyon bulunmuştur (p < .001). Omuz hareket açıklığının artması, yüzme performansının temel belirleyicilerinden biridir. Bu nedenle, hareket açıklığını geliştirmeye yönelik düzenli değerlendirme ve antrenmanlar hem performans artışı hem de yaralanmaların önlenmesi açısından önem taşımaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Çimen, K., Açar, G., Arslan, D., Demirci, S. (2026). The Investigation of Sports Performance and Shoulder Joint Mobility in Young Swimmers. Yalova Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 1, 296–314. https://doi.org/10.70007/yalovaspor.1859202

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (22)

  1. Bak, K., & Magnusson, S. P. (2000). Shoulder strength and range of motion in symptomatic and pain-free elite swimmers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 28(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465000280011701
  2. Beach, M. L., Whitney, S. L., & Dickoff-Hoffman, S. A. (1992). Relationship of shoulder flexibility, strength, and endurance to shoulder pain in competitive swimmers. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 16(6), 262–268. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1992.16.6.262
  3. Cejudo, A., Sánchez-Castillo, S., Sainz de Baranda, P., Gámez, J. C., & Santonja-Medina, F. (2019). Low range of shoulders horizontal abduction predisposes for shoulder pain in competitive young swimmers. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 478.
  4. Ciullo, J. V., & Stevens, G. G. (1989). The prevention and treatment of injuries to the shoulder in swimming. Sports Medicine, 7(3), 182-204.
  5. Hayes, K., Callanan, M., Walton, J., Paxinos, A., & Murrell, G. A. (2002). Shoulder instability: management and rehabilitation. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 32(10), 497-509.
  6. Hill, L., Collins, M., & Posthumus, M. (2015). Risk factors for shoulder pain and injury in swimmers: a critical systematic review. The Physician and sportsmedicine, 43(4), 412-420.
  7. Jansson, A., Saartok, T., Werner, S., & Renström, P. (2005). Evaluation of general joint laxity, shoulder laxity and mobility in competitive swimmers during growth and in normal controls. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 15(3), 169–176. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004.00417.x
  8. Junge, T., Henriksen, P., Andersen, H. L., Byskov, L. D., & Juul-Kristensen, B. (2016). The association between generalized joint hypermobility and active horizontal shoulder abduction in 10–15 year old competitive swimmers. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 8, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-016-0044-y
  9. Matthews, M. J., Green, D., Matthews, H., & Swanwick, E. (2017). The effects of swimming fatigue on shoulder strength, range of motion, joint control, and performance in swimmers. Physical therapy in sport: official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine, 23, 118–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.08.011
  10. Neumann, D. A. (2002). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system. St. Louis: Mosby, 25-40.
  11. Pink, M. M., & Tibone, J. E. (2000). The painful shoulder in the swimming athlete. Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 31(2), 247-261.
  12. Raffini, A., Martini, M., Mazzari, L., Buoite Stella, A., Deodato, M., Murena, L., & Accardo, A. (2024). Impact of physiotherapy on shoulder kinematics in swimmers with swimmer’s shoulder pain. Sensors, 24(7936), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24247936
  13. Rezaei, H., Gheitasi, M., & Hosseini, S. M. (2025). Does corrective exercises influence the performance, posture, range of motion and shoulder pain of swimmers with upper crossed syndrome? BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17, 193. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01200-8
  14. Riemann, B. L., Witt, J., & Davies, G. J. (2011). Glenohumeral joint rotation range of motion in competitive swimmers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(11), 1191–1199. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2011.587441
  15. Smith, D. J., Norris, S. R., & Hogg, J. M. (2002). Performance evaluation of swimmers: scientific tools. Sports medicine, 32(9), 539-554.
  16. Soucie, J. M., Wang, C., Forsyth, A., Funk, S., Denny, M., Roach, K. E., Boone, D., & Hemophilia Treatment Center Network (2011). Range of motion measurements: reference values and a database for comparison studies. Haemophilia: the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia, 17(3), 500–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2516.2010.02399.x
  17. Struyf, F., Tate, A., Kuppens, K., Feijen, S., & Michener, L. A. (2017). Musculoskeletal dysfunctions associated with swimmers’ shoulder. British journal of sports medicine, 51(10), 775-780.
  18. Tate, A., Sarver, J., DiPaola, L., Yim, J., Paul, R., & Thomas, S. J. (2020). Changes in clinical measures and tissue adaptations in collegiate swimmers across a competitive season. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 29(12), 2375–2384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2020.03.028
  19. Tate, A., Turner, G. N., Knab, S. E., Jorgensen, C., Strittmatter, A., & Michener, L. A. (2012). Risk factors associated with shoulder pain and disability across the lifespan of competitive swimmers. Journal of athletic training, 47(2), 149-158.
  20. Uzun, Ö. Z. L. E. M., YEGİNOĞLU, G., ÖKSÜZ, C. E., KALKIȘIM, Ș. N., & Zihni, N. B. (2019). Estimation of Stature from Upper Extremity Anthropometric Measurements. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 13(1).
  21. Matthews, M. J., Green, D., Matthews, H., & Swanwick, E. (2017). The effects of swimming fatigue on shoulder strength, range of motion, joint control, and performance in swimmers. Physical therapy in sport: official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine, 23, 118–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.08.011
  22. Soucie, J. M., Wang, C., Forsyth, A., Funk, S., Denny, M., Roach, K. E., Boone, D., & Hemophilia Treatment Center Network (2011). Range of motion measurements: reference values and a database for comparison studies. Haemophilia: the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia, 17(3), 500–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2516.2010.02399.x