Drs. Olivos and Tate Publish on Overuse Injury in ‘Journal of Swimming Research’
Maegan E. Olivos, PT, DPT, MPH, adjunct professor of Medical Science and Community Health, and Angela Tate, PT, Ph.D., Cert MDT, adjunct professor of Physical Therapy, collaborated on “Coaches’ Education and Practices Regarding Overuse Injury in Youth Swimming,” a study published in the Journal of Swimming Research.
The research details the lack of pain management training for swim coaches in the United States, specifically focusing on overuse injuries. Defined as “any type of muscle or joint injury, such as tendinitis or a stress fracture, that’s caused by repetitive trauma,” an overuse injury may occur as a result of improper technique, training errors, and overexertion.
After conducting a web-based survey, Drs. Olivos and Tate found that 50 percent of coaches said “at least one swimmer has complained of lasting joint pain within the past year,” indicating that overuse injuries are widespread. The pair also found that young athletes are more at risk due to their physical immaturity.
