ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which overuse injury is most commonly associated with competitive swimmers due to repetitive overhead motion?
- Swimmer's shoulder (supraspinatus tendinopathy) (Correct answer)
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy)
- Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
Correct answer: Swimmer's shoulder (supraspinatus tendinopathy)
Swimmer's shoulder, often involving the supraspinatus tendon, is the most prevalent overuse injury in competitive swimmers due to high-volume overhead stroking.
Question 2: What is the recommended immediate first-aid protocol for a suspected muscle strain in a swimmer?
- RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
- HARM: Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage
- PRICE: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (Correct answer)
- MEAT: Movement, Exercise, Analgesics, Treatment
Correct answer: PRICE: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is the standard first-aid protocol for acute muscle strains, adding Protection to the classic RICE method.
Question 3: A swimmer reports knee pain on the medial side after breaststroke practice. Which structure is most likely irritated?
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) (Correct answer)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Lateral meniscus
- Iliotibial band
Correct answer: Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
The MCL is commonly stressed by the whip-kick motion in breaststroke, making medial knee pain a classic presentation of 'breaststroker's knee.'
Question 4: When should a coach clear a swimmer to return to full training after a concussion?
- Only after a licensed healthcare provider has given written clearance (Correct answer)
- After 24 hours of being symptom-free
- When the athlete reports feeling ready
- After one week regardless of symptoms
Correct answer: Only after a licensed healthcare provider has given written clearance
Return-to-sport after concussion requires written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider; coaches must never make this medical determination independently.
Question 5: Which training variable, if increased too rapidly, is most associated with overuse injury development in swimmers?
- Training volume (yardage) (Correct answer)
- Stroke technique
- Water temperature
- Lane width
Correct answer: Training volume (yardage)
Rapid increases in training volume (yardage per week) are the primary risk factor for overuse injuries, following the '10% rule' as a general guideline.
Question 6: What is the minimum water depth recommended by USA Swimming for competitive racing starts from a starting block?
- 5 feet (1.52 m) (Correct answer)
- 4 feet (1.22 m)
- 6 feet (1.83 m)
- 3.5 feet (1.07 m)
Correct answer: 5 feet (1.52 m)
USA Swimming recommends a minimum water depth of 5 feet (1.52 m) at the start end for competitive racing starts from blocks.
Question 7: Which practice reduces the risk of hypothermia during open-water swim events?
- Establishing a minimum water temperature threshold before competition (Correct answer)
- Requiring swimmers to wear fins
- Limiting race distances to under 100 meters
- Using lane ropes for all open-water events
Correct answer: Establishing a minimum water temperature threshold before competition
Setting a minimum water temperature threshold (e.g., FINA's 16°C/61°F for elite events) is a key safety measure that reduces hypothermia risk in open-water swimming.
ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 2
Which overuse injury is most commonly associated with competitive swimmers due to repetitive overhead motion?